Aaron Judge says he’ll ‘be ready’ for Opening Day after fruitful return

TAMPA — The third time was finally the charm for Aaron Judge’s return to the lineup.

Ten days after he last played in a game — with the time in between filled with an MRI exam to check on his abdominal discomfort, two failed predictions by Aaron Boone for when his captain might play again, and daily questions about Judge’s status with Opening Day beginning to creep up on him — Judge was back in the Yankees’ lineup on Wednesday night against the Pirates at Steinbrenner Field.

Judge batted third and played four innings in center field, finally appearing when and where the Yankees expected him to after his status had been shrouded in some mystery for a week and a half.

He lined an RBI double to the gap in his first at-bat, worked an eight-pitch walk his next time up and tracked down a deep fly ball to the warning track on defense.

“Feeling good,” Judge said. “Like I’ve been telling you guys, just excited to get back in there. Get a couple at-bats, get a couple swings, get a couple tough plays in the field and get ready for the next game.”

The plan now is for Judge to play in three of the Yankees’ final four Grapefruit League games.