Aaron Judge's Injury Scare Turns Out Positive for Yankees
Aaron Judge received a significant relief after his recent injury scare. The star outfielder had to exit the game early after being struck on his left hand by a pitch. Given Judge’s history with similar injuries, concerns were high. However, medical evaluations revealed no fractures, which is promising news for the New York Yankees.
X-rays and CT Scans Clear Judge of Serious Injury
Judge left the game an inning after the hit-by-pitch incident, raising immediate concerns. With his history of injuries from comparable situations—most notably missing nearly two months in 2018 due to a similar injury—fans and the team alike were anxious about the outcome. Fortunately, the medical tests, including X-rays and CT scans, showed no fractures in his left hand. Judge expressed his relief to reporters post-game, emphasizing the big sigh of relief upon finding out it wasn’t broken.
“Feeling better. Feeling better after we got some good news. X-rays, CT scans came back negative. We're in a good spot. A big relief. Being hit there before a couple of years ago and breaking the wrist (in 2018), you don't know what's going to happen. Finding out that it’s not fractured, it’s not broken, is definitely a sigh of relief,” said Judge.
Judge’s Stellar Performance This Season
Judge’s performance this season has been nothing short of extraordinary. With a slash line of .302/.428/.687, he is playing at an MVP level. He leads the league in several key statistics, and his contributions have been instrumental to the Yankees' success this season.
Outfield Depth Tested Amidst Injuries
The Yankees' outfield depth has been severely tested due to multiple injuries this season. Just recently, Jasson Domínguez suffered an oblique injury, and the team is still awaiting his test results. Meanwhile, Everson Pereira underwent season-ending elbow surgery, further depleting their outfield options.
If Judge were to miss time, Trent Grisham would likely fill the gap in center field. However, Judge’s absence would be deeply felt, especially considering the lineup has already taken a hit with Anthony Rizzo’s injury. Rizzo has been sidelined for eight weeks due to a broken bone in his right arm, adding to the Yankees’ woes.
Upcoming Returns and League Standing
Looking ahead, the Yankees are set to welcome back Gerrit Cole to the rotation on Wednesday. Their resilience was on display in Tuesday's win, improving their record to 51-24. The Yankees extended their lead in the AL East, now sitting 2.5 games ahead of the second-place Orioles, who have a 47-25 record.
Despite these setbacks, the Yankees' depth and resilience are evident. They have managed to hold their ground and continue their pursuit for the top spot in the league.
Broader MLB Injury Landscape
This season, the Yankees are not alone in dealing with significant injuries. For instance, the Los Angeles Dodgers are coping with the absence of Mookie Betts, who is expected to be out for 6-8 weeks. In response to their own injuries, the Yankees will rely on their depth and the contributions from the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre RailRiders to sustain their success.
The positive medical news around Aaron Judge is encouraging for the Yankees, who look forward to having their star outfielder back on the field soon. Yankees fans can breathe a little easier knowing Judge avoided a major injury and is on the path to recovery. He remains a central figure in their quest for continued success this season.