Aaron Judge's Injury Scare Turns Out Positive for Yankees
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge experienced immense relief after his recent injury scare turned out to be minor.
X-rays and CT Scans Clear Judge of Serious Injury
During a recent game, Judge was struck on his left hand by a pitch and was forced to exit the game an inning later. Given Judge's history with injuries from similar incidents, concerns were understandably raised. However, after undergoing medical evaluations— including X-rays and CT scans—results revealed no fractures in his left hand. The news came as a major relief for Judge, who expressed his gratitude post-game, saying, "Feeling better. Feeling better after we got some good news. X-rays, CT scans came back negative. We're in a good spot."
Judge has previously dealt with significant injuries, notably missing nearly two months in 2018 after a similar hit-by-pitch incident resulted in a fractured wrist. This latest scare, however, didn't result in any serious damage, much to the collective relief of both Judge and the Yankees organization.
Judge’s Stellar Performance This Season
As one of the standout players in Major League Baseball this season, Judge's potential absence would have been a significant blow for the Yankees. Judge is currently playing at an MVP level, boasting an extraordinary slash line of .302/.428/.687. He leads the league in multiple key statistics, and his contributions have been critical to the Yankees’ success this season. Losing him to another injury could have had significant implications for the team's performance.
Outfield Depth Tested Amidst Injuries
The Yankees have been grappling with a string of injuries in their outfield that have tested the team's depth. Jasson Domínguez is currently dealing with an oblique injury, and the team is awaiting further test results. Adding to their woes, Everson Pereira recently underwent season-ending elbow surgery. Given the situation, if Judge were to miss any time, Trent Grisham would step up to fill the void in centerfield.
Judge's absence would certainly be felt keenly across the lineup, which has already been impacted by other key injuries. Anthony Rizzo is expected to be sidelined for eight weeks with a broken bone in his right arm. The Yankees have consistently prided themselves on their depth, with a focus on developing strong prospect talent—a trait that will serve them well as they navigate through these injuries.
Upcoming Returns and League Standing
Despite these setbacks, the Yankees have displayed resilience. This determination was evident in their win on Tuesday, which improved their record to 51-24, extending their lead in the American League East. The Orioles, with a 47-25 record, trail the Yankees by 2.5 games, reflecting the tight competition within the division. Gerrit Cole is set to return to the rotation on Wednesday, providing a further boost to the team.
Broader MLB Injury Landscape
The Yankees are not alone in dealing with injury challenges this season. The Los Angeles Dodgers, for instance, are coping with the absence of Mookie Betts, who will be out for 6-8 weeks. For the Yankees, the positive medical news regarding Judge’s hand is an encouraging development, as they hope for swift recoveries for their other injured players.
Given the team’s depth, including potential contributions from the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the Yankees remain optimistic about sustaining their success. As Yankees fans eagerly await Judge’s return to the field, the team will continue to rely on their resilience and talent to navigate through this period of adversity.