Around the Empire: Yankees news – 7/14/24

MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: With his fifth-inning moonshot to go back-to-back with Juan Soto in the Yankees’ 6-1 victory over the Orioles, Aaron Judge set a new franchise record for most home runs before the All-Star break. Granted, this is a bit of an oddball given the inconsistency with where the All-Stark break falls on the schedule in a given year, but all the same, Judge moved out of a tie with Roger Maris (33 in 1961) and himself (33 in 2022). He’s tied for the seventh-most in MLB history before the break, Barry Bonds leading the way with 39 in 2001. Judge’s 34th of the year extends his league lead, and also gave 42 for his career against the Orioles, his most against any opponent.

New York Post | Greg Joyce: Prior to first pitch yesterday, Aaron Boone and Orioles manager Brandon Hyde spoke to clear the air after Clay Holmes inadvertently hit Heston Kjerstad in the helmet with a slider in the ninth inning, igniting a benches-clearing fracas Friday night. It was the 10th Orioles hitter that Yankees pitchers have hit this season compared to three the other way, and the rivalry between these two teams seems to be boiling over as we head into the break. Kjerstad was pulled from Friday’s game and at one point was penciled in to start yesterday’s game before a late scratch and placement on the seven-day concussion IL. Boone preferred to keep the specifics of the conversation to him and Hyde, merely saying that it went “fine.”

MLB Trade Rumors | Mark Polishuk: Kjerstad wasn’t the only player from this series placed on the IL shortly before first pitch, Jose Trevino landing on the 10-day IL with a left quad strain. Trevino suffered the injury when sliding home to score an important late run in the 4-1 series-opening victory. He returned to New York to undergo imaging and a recovery timetable is as yet unknown. The Yankees called up Carlos Narváez to take his place on the roster, though we’ll likely see more of a starter’s workload for Austin Wells while Trevino recovers.

New York Post | Joel Sherman: The Yankees figure to be one of the most active buyers at the trade deadline, but they could have a harder time than most at landing their targets. That’s because of the number of injuries to the New York’s top prospects, leading one scout to label the Yankees as a “Red Flag organization.” Given Spencer Jones’, Roderick Arias’, and Will Warren’s struggles in the minors, present or recent injuries to Everson Pereira, Chase Hampton, Henry Lalane, Carlos Lagrange, Clayton Beeter, Oswald Peraza, Caleb Durbin, and Brock Selvidge, there are substantial risks that accompany each of the Yankees’ most attractive trade chips.