MINNEAPOLIS -- New York Yankees star right fielder Aaron Judge was pulled for a pinch hitter in the sixth inning of Wednesday's 5-4 extra-inning loss to the Minnesota Twins because of tightness in his lower right leg.
Judge, who was on the bench Tuesday for planned rest, struck out in both of his at-bats against Minnesota starter Zebby Matthews before being pulled for Heliot Ramos. Judge had to run to the gap to track down a double in the fifth, his last action in the field, but he didn't show any sign of discomfort or slowness.
Speaking after the game, Judge said he first felt the tightness in the field during the opening inning and opted to play it safe.
"We're still trying to ramp up so there's still going to be little things like this that come up," Judge said. "I just thought it would be best instead of pushing through it like I normally do."
Judge said he couldn't pinpoint exactly what happened to trigger the injury, which he declined to specify.
"I tried to kind of play it off and see how it would go because these games are important down the stretch, but after kind of talking it over I thought it would be the right move to come out so we don't cost the team on the field or cost the team on the basepaths," Judge said.
Judge, a three-time American League MVP, is 4-for-26 with 13 strikeouts and one extra-base hit in seven games since returning from a lengthy absence last week because of a broken rib.
Asked if he expects to need testing on the injury, Judge said it was tough to say since it just happened before adding: "Probably not."
The Yankees have an off day Thursday before opening a road series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday.
Judge homered in the series opener at Minnesota on Monday, when the Yankees clinched a postseason spot. With Wednesday's loss, they trail AL East leader Tampa Bay by four games. The Yankees host the Rays in a four-game showdown beginning Tuesday.
"Obviously he's a key figure to what we do," manager Aaron Boone said. "Hopefully we'll get it treated and knock it out and he'll be a factor at some point."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.