Aaron Judge's Injury Scare Turns Out Positive for Yankees
Aaron Judge received significant relief after his recent injury scare. Judge exited the game early after being struck on his left hand by a pitch. Medical evaluations, including X-rays and CT scans, revealed no fractures in his left hand, much to the relief of the Yankees and their fans.
X-rays and CT Scans Clear Judge of Serious Injury
The scare occurred when Judge was hit by a pitch, prompting immediate concern given his history of injuries from similar situations. Judge had previously missed nearly two months in 2018 due to a similar injury. This history heightened the anxiety levels when Judge exited the game an inning after the hit-by-pitch incident. Fortunately, subsequent medical tests did not show any fractures, and Judge expressed considerable relief post-game.
In response to the good news, Judge said, "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’s Stellar Performance This Season
Judge's performance this season has been nothing short of extraordinary. Playing at an MVP level, Judge boasts a slash line of .302/.428/.687 and leads the league in several key statistics. His contributions have been instrumental to the Yankees' success this season.
Outfield Depth Tested Amidst Injuries
The Yankees' outfield depth has been significantly tested due to a spate of injuries. Jasson Domínguez recently suffered an oblique injury, and the Yankees are currently awaiting test results for him. Additionally, Everson Pereira underwent season-ending elbow surgery. In another blow to the outfield, Anthony Rizzo is sidelined for eight weeks due to a broken bone in his right arm.
With these setbacks, the Yankees have had to lean heavily on their depth and prospect talent. If Judge had been forced to miss significant time, Trent Grisham would have stepped in to fill the gap in center field. However, Judge's potential absence would undoubtedly have been deeply felt in the lineup, already weakened by the injuries to key players.
Upcoming Returns and League Standing
On a more positive note, Gerrit Cole is set to return to the rotation on Wednesday. The Yankees have shown their resilience with a strong performance in Tuesday's win, improving their record to 51-24 and extending their lead in the AL East. The Orioles, currently in second place, hold a 47-25 record, putting the Yankees 2.5 games ahead.
Despite the setbacks, the Yankees' depth and resilience have been evident. The team's ability to rely on players from their affiliate, the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, speaks volumes about their organizational strength.
Broader MLB Injury Landscape
The Yankees are not the only team grappling with injuries this season. The Los Angeles Dodgers, for example, are missing Mookie Betts for 6-8 weeks. With league-wide injuries mounting, the Yankees hope for a speedy recovery for their injured stars and will continue to rely on their depth to maintain their success.
Aaron Judge's positive medical news is a significant boost for the team. Yankees fans are eagerly looking forward to seeing Judge back on the field, contributing to the team's ongoing success.