Aaron Judge seems to be responding positively to his second platelet-rich plasma injection to his right big toe, but he has not yet resumed baseball activities. Judge sustained the injury on June 3 when he ran into a wall while making a catch at Dodger Stadium. The Yankees announced the first injection on June 6 and revealed that Judge had received another on Thursday of last week.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed his optimism about Judge’s progress, stating, “I’m encouraged by what I’m seeing. He’s been gradually improving and able to do more things. I hope this is just the beginning of his real progress.”
Boone also mentioned that the swelling has subsided, and Judge is now able to engage in more activity while maintaining balance on his toe.
Judge, the reigning AL MVP known for his record-breaking 62 home runs last year, has been an integral part of the Yankees’ success. In his absence, the team has struggled, with a 9-14 record while Judge is on the injured list compared to a 31-19 record when he is available. Their recent performance has resulted in eight losses out of thirteen games since Judge’s latest injury.
General manager Brian Cashman acknowledged the team’s current challenges but expressed confidence in their ability to bounce back. He stated, “We got a really good team when we’re flying high and playing the way we’re capable of. Right now, we haven’t been doing that, and so it looks bad, it feels bad, it tastes bad. And no one likes losing, so I understand why the fans are upset and not happy with how it’s playing out. But there’s a long way to go, and we intend to make sure we do what’s necessary to get where we need to be.”
In other injury news, Harrison Bader made his return to the lineup on Tuesday night after straining his right hamstring in late May. Bader, a Gold Glove center fielder, went 1 for 3 with a stolen base and a run in a 3-1 victory against Seattle. He expressed caution about pushing his limits too quickly, stating, “I just wasn’t completely positive that final gear was there. Just didn’t really know what was on the other side of pushing it fully.”
Bader’s previous injury was plantar fasciitis in his right foot, which sidelined him for a significant portion of the 2022 season. However, he made a strong impact during the postseason, hitting five home runs in nine games.
The Yankees’ offense has struggled in the absence of both Judge and Bader, with a league-low batting average of .196 in June. Anthony Rizzo, who recently returned from a neck injury, had been struggling at the plate. DJ LeMahieu, the 2020 batting champion, has also experienced a slump since mid-May. The team is hopeful that these key players will find their form soon.
Meanwhile, left-hander Carlos Rodón made his first appearance for the Somerset Patriots on Tuesday night after recovering from a forearm strain and back pain. Rodón, who signed a lucrative contract with the Yankees, pitched three innings, allowing one run while striking out five. His strong performance during rehab suggests that he may be back in the rotation by early July, just in time for the All-Star break.
To conclude, despite the challenges posed by injuries to key players, the Yankees remain determined to overcome adversity and regain their winning form. The team and fans alike are eagerly awaiting the return of Aaron Judge and Harrison Bader to strengthen the roster and boost their chances of success.
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