Aaron Judge Mocks Rays Bullpen After Yankees Chase Drew Rasmussen

Aaron Judge mocked the Tampa Bay Rays bullpen from the dugout after the New York Yankees chased starter Drew Rasmussen on Thursday, July 9, 2026. The Yankees captain mimed a call to the bullpen as Rasmussen was pulled during the top of the third inning. New York scored six runs on seven hits off Rasmussen, cutting into Tampa Bay's AL East lead.

Aaron Judge stood in the visiting dugout and signaled toward the Rays bullpen. The gesture came right after Rasmussen was yanked from the game. Talkin' Baseball shared the video on X, writing, "Aaron Judge was in the dugout signaling to the Rays bullpen as the Yankees put up a career-high six runs on Drew Rasmussen."

Six different Yankees drove in a run during that third-inning outburst. Ben Rice crushed a two-run homer. The Bombers turned a tight game into a 7-3 lead that they held into the late innings.

The Yankees entered Thursday five games behind the Rays for first place in the AL East. A win would cut that deficit to four games just before the All-Star Break. Judge's dugout antics showed the team's confidence against a division rival that has been on a hot streak.

Rasmussen allowed six earned runs on seven hits in just 2.1 innings. It was the shortest start of his season. The Yankees offense, led by Judge's energy, finally broke through against a pitcher who had owned them earlier this year.

After Thursday's series finale, the Yankees head to Washington to face the Nationals. The Nats have impressed this season with young players hitting their stride. A series win could push New York even closer to Tampa Bay's lead.

Judge is expected to return from injury after the All-Star break. The Yankees captain will be key to any deep October run. For now, he's enjoying the moment: and letting the Rays know it.