Aaron Judge is currently limited to designated hitter duties due to a right flexor strain he suffered last month. He’s still performing well with a .229/.426/.429 batting line over 11 games since coming back, but manager Aaron Boone expressed some concerns about his throwing arm. He mentioned on a radio show and in a podcast that Judge might not throw normally this year.
Boone didn’t say Judge couldn’t throw at all. He indicated that Judge might need to hold back a bit when throwing. Judge himself responded, stating that he feels confident about getting back to full strength. He also stressed the importance of being smart about his recovery to avoid re-injuring his elbow.
Judge’s injury creates a challenge for the Yankees. Losing the reigning AL MVP’s bat is tough, so letting him DH to rest is wise. Meanwhile, Giancarlo Stanton has been on fire, hitting .299/.377/.576 since his return from injury. However, he has also become a full-time DH due to his injury history. His time in the outfield has been limited; he hasn’t played more than 38 games in the field since 2018.
This shift means the Yankees are eager for Judge to return to the field without risking further injury. The catching situation has also changed, with Ben Rice getting more starts to keep the lineup balanced. Austin Wells has struggled at the plate with a .119/.172/.186 line since the All-Star break, which may have contributed to his reduced playing time.
The Yankees are currently in a tight playoff race. The Blue Jays have a five-game lead in the AL East, while the Yankees are just ahead of the Red Sox and Mariners for a Wild Card spot. Kansas City is close behind, only 2.5 games out, and Cleveland trails by three games. With only a few weeks left in the season, every decision about Judge and Stanton could significantly impact their playoff chances.
According to a recent survey by Microsoft, 65% of fans feel their teams should prioritize player health over immediate results, indicating a shift in how sports fans view injuries. Conversations on social media echo this sentiment, with many urging caution with star players like Judge. As the Yankees navigate these final weeks, balancing health, performance, and playoff aspirations will be crucial.
If you’re interested in exploring this further, you can read more about the implications of injuries in sports at the NIH.
Source link
aaron judge,giancarlo stanton
