Yankee team leader Aaron Judge set to take time off due to flexor strain in his arm, with no harm detected in the UCL of his elbow.
Yankees' Aaron Judge Injury Update: Captain Heads to Injured List with Flexor Strain
New York Yankees' star outfielder Aaron Judge is set to miss some time after undergoing an MRI on Saturday, revealing a flexor strain in his right elbow. The injury occurred during the seventh inning of a game against Philadelphia, where Judge winced after catching a fly ball in the right-field corner and later experienced throwing difficulty.
Judge, who leads the major leagues with a .342 batting average and 1.160 OPS, first felt pain in his right elbow during the sixth inning of Tuesday's game against Toronto. The Yankees' medical team received a clear diagnosis from the MRI, but no further details about the diagnosis were provided in the article.
In a show of solidarity, manager Aaron Boone expressed concern about Judge's injury due to his toughness. Boone received the MRI results just before the start of Saturday's game.
While Judge recovers, the Yankees will turn to top prospect Spencer Jones as a potential replacement. Jones, who has shown impressive power-hitting in the minor leagues with 32 home runs this year, can play all three outfield positions. However, the Yankees have not yet called him up to the majors, as they are timing his promotion carefully.
Giancarlo Stanton will also step up to help fill in for Judge, starting workouts in the outfield next week. Stanton, who has been sidelined with an injury himself, will provide valuable experience and power in Judge's absence.
Judge hopes to return to action in 10 days to two weeks, initially as a designated hitter. His recovery timeline includes 10 to 14 days without throwing, followed by a few days to build back arm strength before returning to the outfield. Judge received a platelet-rich plasma injection to aid in his recovery.
The Yankees have been struggling this season, currently sitting 5 1/2 games back of first-place Toronto in the AL East. Judge's injury comes at a critical time, as the team is looking to make a push towards the playoffs. Despite the setback, the Yankees remain optimistic about Judge's return and the team's overall prospects for the rest of the season.
In the meantime, the team will rely on its depth and resilience to navigate the challenges ahead. Judge's injury is a blow to the team, but the Yankees are confident they can continue to compete at a high level.
