New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge will be the team's starter to begin the season, manager Joe Girardi told reporters.
Judge, who batted .345 with three homers in spring training, was expected to get the nod after owner Hal Steinbrenner said this winter that he favored the 24-year-old over Aaron Hicks in right field.
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Judge batted just .179 with four homers and 10 RBIs in 84 at-bats last season. He fared significantly better in Triple-A, hitting .270 with 19 homers and 65 RBIs in 352 at-bats.
Hicks will serve as the Yankees' fourth outfielder, spelling Jacoby Ellsbury, Brett Gardner and Judge. The 27-year-old Hicks batted .217 with eight homers and 31 RBIs last season.
