Yankees’ Aaron Judge to be placed on injured list due to flexor strain injury

New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge received some encouraging news on Saturday regarding his right elbow. After undergoing an MRI, it was confirmed that he has a flexor strain but, crucially, no significant damage to his ulnar collateral ligament.

This development means that Judge may not face a lengthy absence from the game, bringing relief to fans, teammates, and coaches alike. Judge missed only his second game this season during a 9-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.

He received a platelet-rich plasma injection and will be placed on the injured list; however, the star player is optimistic about returning within 10 days to two weeks, likely as a designated hitter. “You never want to go in the tube… It’s never fun,” Judge remarked, expressing his reluctance to pursue medical imaging until necessary.

Leading the major leagues with a .342 batting average and an impressive 1.160 OPS, Judge has also recorded 37 home runs and 85 RBIs this season. The Yankees initially enjoyed a solid lead in the AL East but have since fallen behind first-place Toronto, as they now trail by 6.5 games.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed relief over the MRI results, acknowledging fears that the injury could be more severe. Judge had reported some difficulty throwing during Friday’s defeat, which raised concerns about the situation.

“I couldn’t throw past 60 feet,” he said, reflecting on the challenge of performing against a formidable Phillies lineup. Boone noted the risk of further injury if Judge continued to play while in pain, emphasizing the need for recovery.

As Judge recuperates, fellow teammate Giancarlo Stanton will begin practicing in the outfield next week to help cover for him. Judge first felt discomfort during a game against Toronto, which raised alarms about potential injury severity.

Boone acknowledged Judge’s toughness, emphasizing the importance of taking the right steps for recovery.