REPORT: Aaron Judge’s ‘sore’ admission after HR in return to Yankees lineup
Injury scare? What injury scare? A few days ago, New York Yankees fans held their breath as star outfielder Aaron Judge was hit by an errant pitch on his hand. Given the recent news of Mookie Betts’ hand injury sidelining him for 6-8 weeks, there was significant concern about Judge’s availability.
Fortunately, Yankees manager Aaron Boone suggested after the game that Judge might not miss any time, as initial tests came back negative. While the former MVP ended up missing one game, he made a quick return, playing in Thursday’s contest against the Baltimore Orioles. Judge wasted no time making an impact, hitting a two-run home run in his second at-bat.
After the game, Judge addressed his hand’s condition, according to ESPN. The Yankees star admitted his hand felt a bit sore but otherwise okay.
“It felt good,” Judge said. “There’s still some swelling, some soreness and stuff like that, especially on foul balls, but if you square it up, it feels pretty good.”
Despite Judge’s return, the game didn’t go well for the Yankees. The Orioles scored 17 runs, leading to a blowout loss that narrowed New York’s lead in the AL East to just half a game.
It’s a relief that Judge only missed one game, especially considering a similar incident in 2018 when a pitch to his hand resulted in a broken wrist, causing him to miss 45 games.
Yankees, Orioles neck-and-neck for AL East crown
Last season, the Baltimore Orioles rose to dominance in the AL East, capitalizing on a slump from the Yankees. After a few rebuilding years, Baltimore re-emerged with an ultra-talented young lineup bolstered by some veterans. Despite their playoff run ending in heartbreak, many pegged them as strong contenders for the AL East once again.
No. 27 for Aaron Judge. pic.twitter.com/czscP2CNf7
— MLB (@MLB) June 20, 2024
Meanwhile, the Yankees have rebounded as title contenders following a dismal 2023 season. The acquisition of Juan Soto has paid dividends, significantly boosting the team’s performance. Soto’s presence has been complemented by Aaron Judge returning to his MVP form. Although he’s not on pace to break his 62-HR record, he leads the league with 27 home runs.
It’s been a tight race between the two teams. The Yankees jumped out to an early lead in the AL East, while the Orioles had a slow start. However, Baltimore gradually clawed their way back into contention. Notably, the Yankees didn’t experience a significant slump during this period, maintaining a competitive edge.
This sets the stage for a thrilling battle for the AL East. Both teams are among the best in the American League, and they’ll likely compete for the division title until the final game of the season. With Judge back in action, the Yankees have a strong chance to finish the job, reclaim the division title, and potentially secure a first-round bye.