Blue Jays' Gausman miffed by special balls for Judge: 'Kind of weird'

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman isn't a fan of the special baseballs umpires are using for Aaron Judge's at-bats during his quest for 62 home runs.

As the New York Yankees slugger inches closer to the milestone, umpires have been receiving a new set of baseballs for each of Judge's plate appearances. The balls are individually numbered to ensure they can be verified.

"Why does he need a different baseball?" Gausman said Monday, according to Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith. "If we're writing something on it beforehand, I think he's going to get the baseball no matter what, right? I know why they're doing it. But, you know, kind of weird."

Boston Red Sox hurler Nick Pivetta also addressed the different balls over the weekend but conceded that Judge's quest for history warranted special treatment.

"What he's trying to go after deserves different baseballs," Pivetta said, according to ESPN's Marly Rivera. "It's the right thing to happen."

Despite his displeasure, Gausman managed to keep Judge in the ballpark in Monday's game at Rogers Centre.

"I don't want to be the answer to a trivia question," the 31-year-old said.

The Blue Jays and Yankees resume their series Tuesday in Toronto. New York can clinch its first AL East title since 2019 with a victory.