Yankees’ Aaron Judge benched for 1st time despite living up to his deal with Aaron Boone

KANSAS CITY — It was about a week ago when Yankees captain Aaron Judge was approached by manager Aaron Boone about picking a day to sit out a game for the first time this season.

Boone looked ahead to this week, the start of a stretch in which the Yankees are playing 16 days in a row, and picked Thursday’s series finale against the Royals because the club has a late-night flight from Kansas City to Boston.

As always, Judge told Boone that he wanted to play every game, but he knows the skipper is looking out for his best interests. Judge isn’t a kid anymore. He’s 33.

But before agreeing to a rest day, Judge made a deal with Boone that could have kept him in the lineup Thursday.

Judge asked if Boone would think about changing his mind if he hit a home run in the first two games of the Royals’ series.

Boone agreed.

Judge did his part blasting a 469-foot homer in Tuesday night’s 10-2 romp, then belting another in Wednesday night’s 6-3 victory.

“He kind of looked at me (after Wednesday’s homer) like, ‘Hey (I did it),” Boone said.

Boone didn’t change his mind after wrestling with the notion in his hotel room late Wednesday night.

Judge didn’t start Thursday’s game.

“I was reconsidering it, but I think we want to stay disciplined on this one,” Boone said. “I think it’s right time for it.”

Judge was disappointed.

“There’s always a battle (with Boone discussing off days),” Judge said with a smile. “I didn’t win this one.”

Boone said he’s playing the long game with Judge, who is well on his way to becoming a three-time MVP after winning his second last year.

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Heading into Thursday, Judge led the majors with a .396 batting average and ranked second with 25 homers and 59 RBIs.

“I never want him out of the lineup, but I felt like it’s one of those that will pay some dividends in the long run,” Boone said. “We’re keeping him fresh.”

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Randy Miller may be reached at rmiller@njadvancemedia.com.