Aaron Judge's Injury Scare Turns Out Positive for Yankees
The New York Yankees and their fans received a massive sigh of relief following Aaron Judge's latest injury scare. Judge had to exit the game early after being struck on his left hand by a pitch. Given his history with injuries from similar situations, immediate concerns arose. However, after a series of medical evaluations, it turns out those fears were unwarranted.
X-rays and CT Scans Clear Judge of Serious Injury
Judge left the game one inning after the hit-by-pitch incident. Given his past experiences—most notably in 2018 when he missed nearly two months due to a similar injury—the anxiety was palpable. Fortunately, subsequent medical tests, including X-rays and CT scans, revealed no fractures in Judge's left hand. The Yankees and their star hitter can now breathe a little easier.
"Feeling better. Feeling better after we got some good news," Judge shared with the media post-game. "X-rays, CT scans came back negative. We're in a good spot. A big relief. Being hit there before a couple 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."
Judge’s Stellar Performance This Season
Judge's contributions this season have been nothing short of extraordinary. With a slash line of .302/.428/.687, he has been playing at an MVP level, leading the league in several key statistics. His performance has been instrumental to the Yankees' success, making his health and availability crucial for the team’s aspirations.
Outfield Depth Tested Amidst Injuries
It's not just Judge who has been dealing with injuries; the Yankees' outfield depth has been continuously tested this season. Jasson Domínguez recently suffered an oblique injury, and the team is still awaiting the results of his tests. Adding to this, Everson Pereira underwent season-ending elbow surgery.
If Judge were to miss any additional time, Trent Grisham would likely have to step in to fill the gap in center field. The Yankees are already feeling the pinch of an injury-plagued outfield, further exacerbated by Anthony Rizzo’s injury. Rizzo is currently sidelined for eight weeks due to a broken bone in his right arm.
Upcoming Returns and League Standing
Despite these setbacks, the Yankees have shown remarkable resilience. Gerrit Cole is set to return to the rotation on Wednesday, which is excellent news for the pitching staff. The team's resilience was on full display during their victory on Tuesday, which improved their record to 51-24 and extended their lead in the AL East.
The Orioles are currently in second place with a 47-25 record, placing them 2.5 games behind the Yankees. This lead underscores the Yankees' ability to adapt and thrive, despite the ongoing injury challenges.
Broader MLB Injury Landscape
The Yankees are not the only team grappling with injury woes. The Los Angeles Dodgers, for instance, are missing star player Mookie Betts for 6-8 weeks. The Yankees hope for a swift recovery for all their injured players, including Judge, and will rely on their depth to maintain their success.
Minor league teams like the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre RailRiders may prove to be essential in providing the necessary depth. Fans are eagerly awaiting Judge’s return to the field, bolstered by the recent positive medical reports.
Aaron Judge's latest medical update serves as a beacon of hope for the Yankees. His quote sums up the overall sentiment: “Finding out that it’s not fractured, it’s not broken, is definitely a sigh of relief.” With Judge continuing to be a pivotal player, the Yankees can look forward to more stellar performances as they aim for continued success this season.