Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees’ three-time MVP, left early Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins, which the Yankees lost 5-4 in 13 innings, due to right lower leg tightness. Judge, who was 0-for-2 with two strikeouts, was replaced by pinch-hitter Heliot Ramos in the sixth inning. Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed that Judge mentioned feeling something after the first inning, and while the team hopes it was caught early, his availability for upcoming games is still uncertain. Judge will undergo treatment and be closely monitored moving forward.
Judge had missed June through August with a fractured top right rib and returned directly to the Yankees on September 8 without a minor league rehab stint. He hit a powerful home run on Monday—the first since coming back—had a scheduled rest day Tuesday, and then exited Wednesday’s game prematurely. Boone emphasized Judge’s importance to the team and expressed hope for a swift recovery so he could contribute again soon.
Though the Yankees have secured a playoff spot, any injury to Judge could severely hinder their pursuit of overtaking the Tampa Bay Rays for the AL East title and lessen their postseason potential. New York fell to four games behind Tampa Bay with this loss, and the teams face a critical four-game series next week, including a doubleheader on September 22, which will likely decide the division. The Rays currently hold a 6-4 advantage in the season series, highlighting how crucial each matchup is. To realistically win the division, the Yankees need a near-perfect finish in their remaining games, especially if they hope to catch Tampa Bay.
Additionally, the Yankees are coping without center fielder Trent Grisham who is sidelined by a hamstring strain and may miss the rest of the season. If Judge is out, Ramos, who played regularly before Judge’s return, would likely take over as the everyday right fielder. The Red Sox’s heavily left-handed pitching staff further underscores how valuable Judge’s right-handed bat will be if New York faces Boston in the Wild Card Series.
When asked about possible tests on his leg, Judge said he was unsure and thought it was unlikely. Currently, in 66 games this season, Judge is hitting .241/.360/.511 with 18 home runs and 41 RBIs. Having won two of the last three AL MVP awards, a healthy Judge remains critical to the Yankees’ aspirations of making a deep playoff run.
With Wednesday’s defeat, the Yankees’ record dropped to 88-64. They have already clinched a postseason berth and secured no worse than the second wild-card spot. The team has been more successful when Judge is in the lineup (41-25) compared to when he’s not (47-39).
Fan Take: This update on Aaron Judge’s health is crucial for baseball fans because it could dramatically impact the Yankees’ playoff positioning and competitiveness. Judge’s availability not only affects the balance of power in the AL East but also carries significant weight for the excitement and quality of the postseason.
Source: www.cbssports.com
