Aaron Judge's Injury Scare Turns Out Positive for Yankees
Yankees fans breathed a collective sigh of relief as medical evaluations confirmed no fractures for superstar Aaron Judge after a recent injury scare. Judge, who had to exit a game early after being struck on the left hand by a pitch, seems to have avoided a serious setback this time around.
X-rays and CT Scans Clear Judge of Serious Injury
The incident occurred mid-game, raising immediate concerns given Judge's history with similar injuries. Memories of his 2018 wrist fracture — which sidelined him for nearly two months — came rushing back. However, subsequent X-rays and CT scans revealed no fractures in Judge's left hand. The Yankees' slugger expressed his relief following the game.
"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
The news couldn't have come at a better time for the Yankees. Judge is in the midst of an extraordinary season, boasting a slash line of .302/.428/.687. Playing at an MVP level, he leads the league in several key statistics and has been instrumental to the Yankees' success this year.
Outfield Depth Tested Amidst Injuries
While Judge's injury scare turned out to be minor, the Yankees’ outfield depth is still being tested. Young prospect Jasson Domínguez recently suffered an oblique injury and is awaiting test results, while Everson Pereira underwent season-ending elbow surgery. With Anthony Rizzo sidelined for eight weeks due to a broken bone in his right arm, the Yankees have had no shortage of challenges.
If Judge were to miss any time, Trent Grisham would be expected to fill the gap in center field. However, Judge's absence would undoubtedly be deeply felt in the lineup.
Upcoming Returns and League Standing
There is some good news on the horizon for the Yankees, with Gerrit Cole set to return to the rotation on Wednesday. The team's resilience was on full display in their win on Tuesday, improving their record to an impressive 51-24. This victory extended their lead in the AL East to 2.5 games over the second-place Baltimore Orioles, who currently hold a 47-25 record.
The Yankees' depth and resilience have been evident despite a series of setbacks, showcasing their ability to continue thriving amid adversity.
Broader MLB Injury Landscape
The Yankees are not alone in dealing with significant injuries this season. The Los Angeles Dodgers, for instance, are missing Mookie Betts for 6-8 weeks. Despite these challenges, teams are relying on their depth to maintain their competitive edge.
Encouragingly for the Yankees, Judge's positive medical news means they can expect one of their key players back in action soon. The Scranton-Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate, continue to provide essential depth during these challenging times.
Yankees fans eagerly await Judge's return to the field, hopeful that the team's string of bad luck with injuries is finally coming to an end. With their star player poised to rejoin the lineup and other key players making their way back, the Yankees aim to maintain their strong performance and extend their lead in the league.