There were no tickets available for Sunday’s power vs. power showdown of Aaron Judge against Gerrit Cole, because none were sold. With the Yankees stars under long-term contracts and expected to play the rest of their careers in pinstripes,

Judge took Cole deep for one of his patented left-field home runs, according to Hoch. The Yankees play the Boston Red Sox on Monday afternoon but neither veteran will be in the lineup. Cole is not expected to pitch until the next turn in the rotation. And Judge won't play until March 1.

Two stalwarts of the Yankees were up against each on opposite sides of the plate. Before the Yankees' spring training game on Sunday, former Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole faced some of the best hitters, including Aaron Judge, in a live batting session.

The New York Yankees are being outspent by the New York Mets and LA Dodgers. The Philadelphia Phillies also have a more expensive roster this year.

With Austin Wells making his spring debut sooner than expected earlier this week and Gerrit Cole taking the mound on Friday, a few more Yankees are set for their first taste of exhibition action.

And, as he did on Friday during his bullpen session, Cole had one of his childhood heroes watching from behind the mound, Roger Clemens, who is in camp as a guest instructor. “It was awesome,” Cole said Sunday. “It’s really great. Álex [Rodríguez] was in the house the other day, too. It’s good vibes.

Aaron Judge offered support for the Yankees’ big change, but added, “If that little rule is going to stop you from coming here, then you probably shouldn’t be here.”