Just over a week after getting Aaron Judge back, the New York Yankees may need to worry about another injury to their captain.
In a surprise move during their game against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday, the Yankees took Judge out of the game in the sixth inning. Although he represented the potential tying run, Judge was pinch-hit for by Heliot Ramos, who struck out against Twins starter Zebby Matthews.
Judge was seen grimacing during an at-bat in the third inning that ended in a strikeout, but he proceeded to play right field until being taken out for Ramos during his next scheduled at-bat.
Later in the game, an update on the 34-year-old was finally provided. The Yankees announced that Judge left with tightness in his lower right leg.
After the Yankees lost in extra innings, more clarification came on Judge’s status. Judge said he felt the leg discomfort as early as the first inning, and manager Aaron Boone later noticed the star outfielder hobbling in the field during the fifth inning. He requested to leave the game in the sixth to avoid “costing the team”.
With the Bronx Bombers off on Thursday before playing the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, the team will patiently look to see how Judge responds. He has yet to be scheduled for an MRI as of now.
Losing Judge to the IL again would be a significant blow to the Yankees’ postseason hopes, as their lineup struggled immensely without him. Judge previously missed over three months with a stress fracture in his right rib. Although the Yankee captain has struggled since returning on September 8 with just four hits in 23 at-bats (.174), his hitting prowess when fully healthy is unrivaled by anyone else in MLB.
In just 66 games this season, Judge is hitting .241/.360/.511 with 18 home runs, 41 RBI, a .371 wOBA and 140 wRC+.
The Yankees, who clinched a playoff spot on Monday with a win over the Twins, are looking to chase down the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East. New York is four games out of first place.
Greatest Yankees of All-Time
- 5 greatest pitchers in Yankees history
- 5 greatest Yankees hitters of all-time
- 5 greatest shortstops in Yankees history
- 5 greatest Yankees outfielders of all-time
