Aaron Judge's Injury Scare Turns Out Positive for Yankees
Yankees fans breathed a collective sigh of relief as Aaron Judge received positive news following his recent injury scare. The star outfielder exited a game early after being struck on his left hand by a pitch, raising concerns due to his history with similar injuries. However, medical evaluations including X-rays and CT scans revealed no fractures, allowing Judge and the Yankees to avoid a significant setback.
X-rays and CT Scans Clear Judge of Serious Injury
Judge left the game an inning after the hit-by-pitch incident, sending shockwaves through the Yankees' dugout and fanbase. Given his past, notably missing nearly two months in 2018 due to a similar injury, the immediate concerns were understandable. Fortunately, the medical tests provided reassurance; both X-rays and CT scans showed no fractures in his left hand, much to Judge's relief.
"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," Judge mentioned post-game. He further added, "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 has been a force to reckon with this season, boasting a slash line of .302/.428/.687. He's been playing at an MVP level, leading the league in several key statistics. His contributions have been instrumental to the Yankees' success, making his potential absence a significant concern for the team.
Outfield Depth Tested Amidst Injuries
The Yankees' outfield depth has been repeatedly tested due to a string of injuries. Jasson Domínguez recently suffered an oblique injury, with the team still awaiting his test results. Furthermore, Everson Pereira underwent season-ending elbow surgery, adding to the list of sidelined players.
If Judge were to miss any time, Trent Grisham is expected to fill the void in center field. However, Judge's absence would undoubtedly be deeply felt in the lineup. The outfield situation has already taken a hit with Anthony Rizzo’s injury, who is currently sidelined for eight weeks due to a broken bone in his right arm.
Upcoming Returns and League Standing
In some good news for the Yankees, ace pitcher Gerrit Cole is set to return to the rotation on Wednesday. This is timely, as the Yankees demonstrated their resilience in Tuesday's win, improving their record to 51-24. With this victory, they extended their lead in the AL East, now holding a 2.5 game advantage over the second-place Baltimore Orioles, who are trailing with a 47-25 record.
The team's depth and resilience have been evident despite the setbacks. Yet another testament to their resilience, the Yankees continue to push forward, maintaining their stronghold atop the AL East standings.
Broader MLB Injury Landscape
The Yankees are not alone in dealing with injury woes. The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently missing Mookie Betts for an extended period of 6-8 weeks. Such injuries have become a common lament across various MLB teams this season, affecting their respective pushes towards success.
The Yankees hope for a speedy recovery for their injured stars and will rely on their depth to continue their successful season. The Scranton-Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate, might provide essential reinforcement should the need arise.
Aaron Judge's positive medical news remains a significant boost for the team. Yankees fans eagerly await his return to the field, reassured by the knowledge that their star slugger has avoided a serious injury.