Around the Empire: Yankees news - 8/16/20

New York Post | Dan Martin: The Yankees placed Aaron Judge on the injured list with a Grade 1 calf strain on Friday. The team believes it to be a minor setback, though, as Judge will receive treatment and do light workouts this weekend. “He’s feeling pretty good,’’ Aaron Boone told Martin. “We’re hoping this goes well and [he’s out] a short amount of time.” Imagine that, a Yankee getting injured and then having the rehab process go so smoothly he returns in the requisite ten days. It would be a nice change of pace from their Metsian injury mismanagement of late.

New York Daily News | Bob Raissman: On a related note, the Yankees haven’t earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to their injury communication, especially news that comes from Boone. It started back when Judge fractured his wrist in 2018, and has progressed to the point where it’s hard to take anything the team says about a player’s health seriously. Raissman’s polemic has a number of flaws, and the details inside should be taken with a grain of salt, but he does hit on a point of frustration common among Yankees fans today. It would do Boone well to either say he can’t comment, or to speak more forwardly about his players when they’re banged up.

Yahoo! Sports | Mark Townsend: Over his last 20 decisions, Gerrit Cole has 20 wins. Even without his best stuff, the Yankees’ ace finds way to mow down his opponents. This reminds Townsend of a similar streak posted by Roger Clemens in 1998-1999. He acknowledges the extreme limitations of pitcher wins, but at the same time, it’s easy to draw parallels between the two fierce, flame-throwers.