NEW YORK -- Aaron Judge, an All-Star outfielder, held a players-only meeting earlier in the week to discuss their concerns amid a deeper slump.Judge stated that he requested the Tuesday sit-down to talk to struggling Yankees, but refused to give details about what was discussed.Judge stated that he had "just [had] some thoughts, some things I have been seeing over the past year," Friday afternoon before the 2021 Subway Series' first game was cancelled. "Usually, around the All-Star break you have a meeting where guys sort of address issues going into the second halves. However, I felt that there were some issues that could not wait for the All-Star break in order to be brought up.He said, "It was an opportunity for many of us to be open with one another." "Maybe [say] some thoughts. ... I have been on some of the most successful teams. They are able to communicate what they need and not let anyone's feelings get hurt. It was a great meeting. Although there was much emotion, I believe it was good for the team.Judge didn't elaborate but it was two days before Hal Steinbrenner addressed media. Steinbrenner singled out his players for their role in the Yankees' downward spiraling season. The Yankees (41-39) were ninth in the AL East and nine games behind archrivals, the Boston Red Sox.Steinbrenner mentioned the meeting on Thursday and described it as "fiery." Steinbrenner also said that the message could be more effective coming to a player than from a coach or front-office executive.Steinbrenner said that the Yankees had a team-only meeting two days ago, which in my opinion is the best type. Steinbrenner also supported manager Aaron Boone, and GM Brian Cashman. He stated that he wouldn't have a knee-jerk reaction to the Yankees' woes."I believe that the majority of responsibility rests with the players. Steinbrenner said that they are the ones responsible for the game. They must fix the problem, because everyone, including our fans, has had enough. While we all share some of the blame, the majority of it lies with them.Judge was in total agreement."That's what it all comes down to. Judge stated that it doesn't matter what anyone says. Judge said, "We are the ones on the field. We are the ones competing. While I understand the efforts of the front office and other men to put players on the field, it ultimately comes down to your work ethic and the results that you achieve on the field.The Yankees also placed Clint Frazier, left fielder for the Yankees, on the injured list. Boone described Frazier's condition as "vertigo." Boone stated that Frazier was removed from Wednesday's game due to dizziness and is currently undergoing "a battery" of tests.Boone did not say that Frazier's concussions are the cause, but he didn't discount it. Frazier was first diagnosed with vestibular concussions in 2018. It took him some time to heal and can also have an effect on balance and spatial recognition."We've started the battery of tests here in the last few days and it's been quite extensive. Boone stated that once we have all the information and full clarity, we will have a better answer. "There is not much detail at this time for you, other than a few tests -- doctors and hospitals, etc., just trying [to] uncover something or get the bottom of it." It's a long list of tests that he is going through.Boone claims that Frazier didn't alert the club about dizziness until the second inning of Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Angels.Retroactive to Thursday, the move to the injured roster was made. Tim Locastro, outfielder, was transferred from Arizona to replace Keegan Curtis. He was then added to the active roster.In the meantime, Friday night's Subway Series opener was rained out and rescheduled for Sunday as part of a doubleheader at 7:05 p.m. on Sunday. Both games will start at 7:05 p.m. each game will go seven innings according to pandemic rules.This report used information from The Associated Press.
