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Yanks release Alex Rodriguez, promote Aaron Judge, Tyler Austin

While we knew about the call up of Tyler Austin there was a surprise in store for New York Yankees fans in the form of former first round draft pick Aaron Judge who was called up to the big leagues.

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On a humid, 95-degree afternoon and on the same day Alex Rodriguez was officially released, the future came fast for the Yankees.

After announcing the promotion teammate Tyler Austin last night, the New York Yankees chose to make it a duo.

Austin and Judge launched their Yankees careers with back-to-back home runs in their first major league at-bats Saturday, hitting solo shots off Matt Andriese in the second inning.

New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann, left, waits as first baseman Mark Teixeira, center, says farewell toAlex Rodriguez after Rodriguez’s final baseball game a Yankee player, against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium in N.

“Judge, at 6’7”, won’t be hard to find in right field. Austin has reemerged this season and is hitting.294/.392/.524 (162 wRC+) with 17 homers in 107 games between Double-A and Triple-A.

Austin had gotten his news earlier Friday. Judge will get the nod in right field and bat eighth in the rotation. The 24-year old batted.323/.415/.637 with 13 home runs and 49 RBIs in 57 games at Triple-A, he’s a career.287 hitter in the minor leagues.

“I figured Judge, being his first call-up, he’s not going to sleep anyway”, Cashman said.

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Austin, 24, is one of the feel good stories of the season. RHP Jake Odorizzi (6-5) pitches for the Rays.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports