New York Yankees fans can relax after a scare involving star slugger Aaron Judge on Tuesday night.
Judge was hit by a pitch in his left hand during the team’s 4-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles, but thankfully, X-rays and a CT scan came back negative.
Judge Takes a Fastball, But Avoids Major Damage
Leading off the third inning, Judge took a 94-mph fastball from Orioles starter Albert Suarez off the hand. The Yankees captain was visibly shaken, but managed to reach first base. He eventually scored on a Giancarlo Stanton single, but was later replaced by a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Post-Game Relief
Despite the initial scare, Judge expressed relief after learning the extent of the injury. “Getting that good news is a good thing,” he said, referring to the negative scans. He even admitted to trying to continue playing before being lifted for a pinch-hitter.
This is a huge sigh of relief for the Yankees, who are already dealing with several injuries. Just before Tuesday’s game, first baseman Anthony Rizzo was placed on the injured list with a fractured right forearm, sidelining him for eight weeks.
Judge's Importance to the Yankees
Judge is having a monster season, leading Major League Baseball in home runs (26) and batting .374 with 51 RBIs in his last 46 games. His absence would be a significant blow to the Yankees’ playoff aspirations.
History of Injuries
This isn’t the first time Judge has been sidelined by a pitch. In 2018, he missed 45 games with a fractured wrist after being hit by a pitch. Last year, he missed 42 games with a torn ligament in his toe after colliding with the outfield wall.
With the team already facing a string of injuries, the Yankees dodged a major bullet with Judge’s clean bill of health. He’ll be looking to stay healthy and continue his MVP-caliber season as the Yankees aim to maintain their lead in the AL East.
