Aaron Judge's Injury Scare Turns Out Positive for Yankees
The New York Yankees and their fans received a sigh of relief after Aaron Judge's recent injury scare seemed far more severe initially. Judge exited a game early after being struck on his left hand by a pitch, raising immediate concerns given his history with similar injuries. Fortunately, medical evaluations revealed no fractures, allowing the team to breathe easy.
X-rays and CT Scans Clear Judge of Serious Injury
Aaron Judge made his exit an inning after the hit-by-pitch incident, which sent waves of concern through the Yankees' dugout and fanbase. With Judge's history of injuries from similar situations, the need for medical tests was urgent. X-rays and CT scans showed no fractures in Judge's left hand, providing immense relief to the team and their fans. Post-game, Judge expressed his relief at the positive news.
This incident is reminiscent of 2018 when Judge missed nearly two months due to a similar injury. This time, however, the outcome was more favorable, ensuring that the Yankees wouldn't miss their star player for an extended period.
Judge’s Stellar Performance This Season
Prior to the injury scare, Aaron Judge's performance this season had been nothing short of extraordinary. Holding a slash line of .302/.428/.687, Judge has been playing at an MVP level. He leads the league in several key statistics and has been a cornerstone in the Yankees' lineup, contributing significantly to their success.
Judge's outstanding performance has not just been a personal triumph but has been instrumental for the Yankees. His presence in the lineup and on the field has provided a significant boost, making the recent injury scare even more concerning for the team's prospects.
Outfield Depth Tested Amidst Injuries
Injuries have been a significant challenge for the Yankees, particularly in the outfield. Jasson Domínguez recently suffered an oblique injury, and the team is currently awaiting test results to determine the extent of his condition. In addition, Everson Pereira underwent season-ending elbow surgery, further depleting the Yankees' outfield options.
Despite these setbacks, the Yankees have prided themselves on their depth and prospect talent. If Judge were to miss time, Trent Grisham would be the primary candidate to fill the gap in center field. However, Judge’s absence would certainly be felt deeply in the lineup, especially considering Anthony Rizzo's injury, which has him sidelined for eight weeks due to a broken bone in his right arm.
Upcoming Returns and League Standing
There is some positive news on the horizon for the Yankees, with Gerrit Cole set to return to the rotation on Wednesday. The team's resilience was evident in their recent win on Tuesday, which improved their record to 51-24.
The Yankees' lead in the AL East has been extended to 2.5 games over the second-place Baltimore Orioles, who hold a 47-25 record. This lead underscores the Yankees' depth and resilience, as they have managed to maintain their standing despite the setbacks due to injuries.
Broader MLB Injury Landscape
It's worth noting that the Yankees are not the only team dealing with injuries. The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently missing Mookie Betts, who is expected to be out for 6-8 weeks. This overarching trend of key players being sidelined has affected various teams across MLB.
For the Yankees, the hope is for a speedy recovery for their injured stars. In the meantime, the team will continue to rely on their depth to maintain their success. Aaron Judge's positive medical news is a significant boost, and the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre RailRiders may provide essential depth as needed.
Yankees fans eagerly await Judge's return to the field. Judge himself summed up the collective relief well: "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."