Aaron Judge's Injury Scare Turns Out Positive for Yankees
New York Yankees fans breathed a collective sigh of relief as medical evaluations confirmed that star outfielder Aaron Judge did not suffer any fractures after a recent injury scare. Judge had exited a recent game early after being struck on his left hand by a pitch, raising immediate concerns given his history with similar injuries.
X-rays and CT Scans Clear Judge of Serious Injury
Judge left the game an inning after being hit, causing alarm among fans and the team due to his past experiences with similar injuries. In 2018, Judge missed nearly two months of the season after suffering a similar injury. However, this time, medical tests, including X-rays and CT scans, showed no fractures in his left hand. Judge expressed immense relief following the game, reflecting on his past injury ordeal and appreciating the positive outcome this time around.
"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 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 said.
Judge’s Stellar Performance This Season
Judge's performance this season has been nothing short of extraordinary. The outfielder boasts an impressive slash line of .302/.428/.687 and is playing at an MVP level, leading the league in several key statistics. His contributions have been instrumental to the Yankees' success this season, and any potential absence would have been a significant blow to the team's lineup.
Outfield Depth Tested Amidst Injuries
The Yankees' outfield depth has been tested recently due to a string of injuries. Jasson Domínguez, another promising outfielder, is currently sidelined with an oblique injury, and the team is awaiting test results for him. Additionally, Everson Pereira underwent season-ending elbow surgery, further depleting the outfield roster.
If Judge were to miss time, it would deeply affect the Yankees, but Trent Grisham would be expected to fill the gap in center field. The Yankees had already taken a hit with Anthony Rizzo's injury, as he is sidelined for eight weeks due to a broken bone in his right arm. Despite these setbacks, the Yankees have prided themselves on their depth and talent among their prospects.
Upcoming Returns and League Standing
On a brighter note, pitcher Gerrit Cole is set to return to the rotation on Wednesday, providing a much-needed boost to the Yankees' pitching staff. The team's resilience was on full display in their recent win, which improved their record to 51-24 and extended their lead in the AL East. The Yankees currently lead the Orioles, who are in second place with a 47-25 record, by 2.5 games.
The Yankees' depth and resilience continue to be a hallmark of their season, allowing them to maintain their pace and standing despite the numerous injuries they have faced.
Broader MLB Injury Landscape
The Yankees are not alone in dealing with injuries this season. The Los Angeles Dodgers, for instance, are missing star player Mookie Betts for 6-8 weeks. Teams across the league hope for swift recoveries for their injured stars as they strive to maintain their competitive edge.
Aaron Judge's positive medical news is encouraging for the Yankees, and fans eagerly anticipate his return to the field. In the meantime, the Yankees will continue to rely on their roster depth and call upon players from their Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, to fill in the gaps as needed.
As the team navigates through these challenging times, the resilience and depth exhibited by the Yankees will be critical in sustaining their success throughout the season. The fans, no doubt, will be looking forward to seeing their star, Aaron Judge, back in action, leading the charge for the Yankees.