Aaron Judge’s recent injury has become a huge story in the Yankees’ season. The team’s trying to claw its way back to the top of the AL East, and losing Judge—even briefly—has fans and the front office on edge.
Judge, famous for his superstar presence and steady leadership, is dealing with a flexor strain in his right elbow. While the injury didn’t touch his ulnar collateral ligament, his time off the field could really shake up the Yankees’ playoff chances, especially since they’ve slipped behind first-place Toronto.
Aaron Judge’s Injury Diagnosis: What Happened?
The Yankees captain hurt his elbow during a game against the Blue Jays. He tried to gun down a runner at home from the outfield and immediately looked uncomfortable.
His teammates and coaches noticed right away. Judge didn’t want to make a big deal out of it at first, but an MRI later confirmed the flexor strain.
The scan showed no serious ligament damage. That gave everyone a little hope that he might bounce back sooner than expected.
A Medical Breakdown and Recovery Plan
To speed up healing, Judge got a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection. It’s a modern treatment where doctors use concentrated platelets to help repair tissue faster.
After the injection, the Yankees put him on the injury list. Judge sounded pretty positive about coming back in 10 days to two weeks.
The first plan is to use him as a designated hitter when he returns. That way, he can avoid putting too much stress on his throwing arm until he’s really ready.
Impact on the Yankees’ Playoff Aspirations
Judge brings so much to the Yankees lineup. He’s hitting .342, has smashed 37 homers, and racked up 85 RBIs—those numbers are wild.
His absence comes at a rough time. The Yankees, who once led the AL East by seven games, are now 5.5 games behind Toronto.
Missing Judge’s bat could make that gap even wider. There’s a real sense of urgency to get him back as soon as possible.
How the Yankees Plan to Mitigate the Loss
Manager Aaron Boone has talked about making some roster tweaks to keep things steady. Giancarlo Stanton, who’s played outfield before, will be working out more to help cover for Judge.
There’s been talk about whether Spencer Jones, the Yankees’ top prospect, might get called up from Triple-A. Boone hasn’t said yes or no, so the rumors just keep swirling.
Whatever moves they make, the Yankees have to balance patching up their defense and keeping their offense rolling without Judge’s bat.
- Judge’s stats: .342 batting average, 37 home runs, and 85 RBIs
- Diagnosis: Flexor strain in the right elbow with no ulnar collateral ligament damage
- Projected return: 10 days to two weeks as a designated hitter
- Current team standing: 5.5 games behind AL East leaders Toronto
- Key lineup adjustments: Giancarlo Stanton in the outfield, possible Spencer Jones call-up
Final Thoughts
The timing of Aaron Judge’s injury couldn’t be more critical for the Yankees. They’re scrambling as the playoff race heats up.
Judge’s leadership and his numbers on the field show why his recovery matters so much—not just for the team, but for his own legacy as one of baseball’s biggest stars.
Here is the source article for this story: Yankees’ Aaron Judge heads to injured list but avoids serious elbow damage
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