TAMPA, Fla. – After a nine-day absence due to an abdominal injury, New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge made his return to the lineup for Wednesday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Judge had been sidelined since March 10, following a performance against the Atlanta Braves where he struck out in both of his at-bats. An MRI was conducted the following day to assess the extent of his injury.
The discomfort in Judge’s abdomen had been lingering for a couple of weeks, starting during the follow-through of one of his swings. This setback comes after Judge missed 42 games in the previous season due to a torn ligament in his right big toe, which he sustained after colliding with the right-field fence at Dodger Stadium.
In addition to Judge’s return, the Yankees continue to face injury challenges. Third baseman DJ LeMahieu remains out of the lineup due to a bone bruise sustained from a hard foul ball hitting his right foot. LeMahieu has had a history of foot injuries in recent seasons, affecting his performance on the field.
The team also received news last week that their ace pitcher, Gerrit Cole, will be sidelined for three to four weeks due to nerve irritation and edema in his throwing elbow. Cole’s absence will require a period of spring training-like conditioning before he can make a comeback, which is not expected until late May at the earliest.
The Yankees’ medical staff will closely monitor both Judge and LeMahieu’s recoveries, ensuring that they are fully fit before returning to regular play. These injuries create challenges for the team, as they strive to maintain a competitive edge in the upcoming games. The Yankees rely on Judge’s power hitting and LeMahieu’s defensive skills at third base, and their absence has been significant.
As the Yankees prepare for the start of the season, the team will need to optimize their resources and adjust their lineup to compensate for the injured players. The coaching staff and management will need to strategize to fill the void and ensure that the team remains competitive during this challenging period.