Yankees star Aaron Judge Avoids Major Injury, But Faces Recovery Period
New York Yankees fans breathed a collective sigh of relief this weekend as initial fears surrounding Aaron Judge’s right shoulder injury proved unfounded. While the reigning AL MVP will require a period of rest and recovery, tests revealed a strain – not the more serious ligament damage many anticipated. This news comes as a significant boost for the Yankees, who have seen their AL East lead shrink in recent weeks.
Judge himself acknowledged the uncertainty leading up to the diagnosis. “You don’t know what’s going to show up,” he explained, revealing why he initially resisted extensive imaging. “That’s why I kind of pushed off a lot of that imaging…because if I don’t know what’s going on, it can’t hurt you, I guess.”
what Happened? A Timeline of the Injury
The discomfort began during Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Sixth Inning: Judge felt a twinge while making a strong throw home to prevent a tying run, following a single by George Springer.
Seventh Inning: He winced after a fly ball catch in right field and another throw to second base. A YES Network camera captured him clenching his right hand. friday’s Game: Judge informed manager Aaron boone he was having difficulty throwing, limiting his range to approximately 60 feet. He was concerned about jeopardizing his pitchers.
This limited throwing ability, coupled with Judge’s renowned toughness, initially led to concerns about a potential UCL injury. Fortunately, those fears were allayed.
The Diagnosis and Recovery Plan
Manager Boone expressed relief, stating, ”All in all, we got good news today.I think all of us kind of feared the worst.” The scan revealed a strain, requiring a cautious approach to avoid further complications.Here’s what you can expect in Judge’s recovery:
No Throwing (10-14 days): Judge will refrain from throwing for the next 10 to 14 days.
Arm Strength building: Following the initial rest period, he’ll need several days of throwing to regain arm strength. DH Role: Judge anticipates returning to the lineup as a designated hitter (DH) once the 10-day period concludes.
Boone emphasized the importance of proper healing. “With that strain, then if you go out there and play with it you put the UCL in jeopardy, so we got to get that healed up.”
Impact on the Yankees Lineup
judge’s absence, even a temporary one, presents a challenge for the Yankees. Currently leading the majors with a .342 batting average and a 1.160 OPS, alongside 37 home runs and 85 RBIs, his offensive production is invaluable.
to mitigate the impact, the team plans to utilize Giancarlo Stanton in the outfield. Stanton, the team’s primary DH, will begin outfield workouts next week.The Yankees are also evaluating whether to call up highly-regarded prospect Spencer Jones from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-barre.Though, a decision on Jones has not yet been made.
Judge’s Determination and Team Outlook
Judge’s reluctance to go on the injured list (IL) speaks to his dedication. “I really was reluctant about going on any IL or anything like that,” he said. “I was like, ‘If I can hit, let me hit.'”
Boone acknowledged Judge’s toughness, noting, “He’s about as tough as they come…I knew we had an issue probably.” He also highlighted the importance of waiting for a clear diagnosis before reacting.
Stanton echoed the sentiment, stating, “It’s never a relief knowing he’s going to be out at all, but for what it is indeed, I guess you could say best case.”
This situation underscores the delicate balance between a player’s desire to compete and the need for responsible injury management. While Judge’s absence is a setback, the Yankees are optimistic about his recovery and determined to navigate this challenge as they pursue a division title.
