Aaron Judge trying to avoid ‘fear’ as he returns to scene of his Dodger Stadium wall crash

Aaron Judge has played at Dodger Stadium since tearing a ligament in his toe crashing into the wall there two years ago. 

But after playing center field in the World Series in October, he will return to the scene of the crime — right field — for the first time on Friday night. 

“I’ll try not to think about it,” Judge said. “I got a job to do on the field. I’m going to try to make every play I can. I don’t remember looking at what changes they’ve made. Hopefully, it’s good changes, nobody else has gotten hurt out there. 

“I try not to think about it because if you play with fear, you’re not going to be your best.” 

Aaron Judge crashes into the Dodgers’ fence during a 2023 game.

Judge said he might go out to right field during batting practice Friday and check out the new padding that the Dodgers installed at the footing of the right-field wall in response to the Yankees captain’s injury. 

It was unpadded on June 3, 2023, when he made a terrific running catch while crashing into the fence in front of the visiting bullpen in right field.

The fence gave out as Judge toppled into the bullpen, but the bigger concern was his right foot slamming into the concrete ledge.

He stayed in the game but then sat out the series finale and was eventually diagnosed with a torn ligament in his big toe that cost Judge nearly two months on the injured list. 

“I just remember seeing him after the game and realizing it wasn’t great,” manager Aaron Boone said. “As tough as he is, I knew he probably had an issue just based on how he was feeling after the game. A great memory immediately in the moment because it was game on the line, amazing catch. But then, obviously, the big guy going down.” 

Aaron Judge connects on a homer during the Yankees’ game against the Rangers on May 20.

Aaron Judge catches a fly ball during the Yankees’ game against the Padres on May 5.

Boone said that catch notwithstanding, Judge has gotten better at knowing when to pull up and preserve his body while playing defense. 

“You can never take it away completely for a guy that’s playing hard, playing aggressive,” Boone said. “But I think he’s learned over time to pick his spots and understand where he’s got to protect himself a little bit. But understanding you’re also playing a game all out. I think over the years, he’s gotten better at that while still going all out, too.” 

Max Fried and Will Warren will start the first two games of the series for the Yankees, who have left Sunday’s probable as TBA. 

The Yankees could stay on turn and pitch Ryan Yarbrough, who has been a pleasant surprise in four starts since moving into the rotation.

But the likelier scenario, assuming he recovers well from Tuesday’s gem, is Carlos Rodón starting on normal rest.

With another off day Monday, Rodón would be going a week between starts if the Yankees do not bump him up to face the Dodgers.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. (oblique strain) began his rehab assignment Thursday with Double-A Somerset, going 2-for-3 with a double and a walk while playing five innings at third base — though he did not get any balls hit his way.

Chisholm is expected to play another game or two over the weekend before returning to the Yankees as early as Tuesday if all goes well.

When he does, he will likely be at third base, where Chisholm said Boone told him he “really wanted” him to be.

“I’m a team guy,” Chisholm told reporters in Somerset. “I’m here to win a ring. I’m not here to fight over positions and all that. We got some of the best players in the world on our team.”