Why Yankees’ Aaron Judge is still passing on defending Home Run Derby crown

Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge listed reasons for not taking part in this year’s Home Run Derby after being named an American League All-Star on Sunday, July 8, 2018 (7/8/18). Judge is joined on the All-Star roster by teammates Luis Severino, Aroldis Chapman and Gleyber Torres.

TORONTO — Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge’s mind was made up long ago that he won’t defend his Home Run Derby title.

Now that it’s a sure thing that he’s returning to the All-Star Game, nothing’s changed.

Why?

If you remember, Judge followed a great first half to his rookie season with a two-month slump due to a left shoulder injury that may or may not have become worse due to his many swings at Marlins Park in Miami during the 2017 Home Run Derby.

“The main reason why I did it was for the fans,” Judge said Sunday after being voted by fans into the American League’s starting lineup. “That’s really the only reason why you do it … for the fans. Put on a good show.

“This year, we’ve got something special going on here. I’m kind of sad I’m not doing it, but we’ve got something pretty special here. I just want to stay healthy going into the second half.”

Torres among 4 Yankees going to ASG | Stanton in Final Vote

Judge, who hit a rookie record 52 homers in 2017, was the Home Run Derby winner last year from a field of eight that included Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez and new teammate Giancarlo Stanton, then with the Miami Marlins.

Sanchez wasn’t selected for this year’s All-Star game, but Stanton will be back if he emerges as the winner of the AL Final Vote, which has five players vying for the final roster spot in a MLB.com vote that began Sunday night and will run through 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Stanton, who led the majors with 59 homers last season, has participated in the Home Run Derby three times and was the winner in 2016. But if he wins the Final Vote to become a five-time All-Star, he’ll make like Judge and skip this year’s Derby.

His reason?

“I don’t want to,” he said. “I’ve done it plenty of times. I can take a year off. I can take two years off if I want.”

Randy Miller may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.