The Yankees faced the Baltimore Orioles in a crucial series at Yankee Stadium, coming away with a 4-2 victory. However, the win was overshadowed by a terrifying moment in the third inning when Aaron Judge was hit by a 94-mph fastball on the left hand, forcing him to leave the game. With Judge being a key player for the team, the Yankees’ hold on first place suddenly seemed in jeopardy. The road to the World Series appeared to be a lot more uncertain. Fortunately, the fears were put to rest when Judge received the news that X-rays and a CT scan showed no fracture. Disaster was averted, and the team breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Judge’s injury came as a result of a fastball from Orioles starter Albert Suarez, who had already thrown a high pitch moments earlier. Despite fouling off the first pitch, Judge couldn’t avoid the second one that hit him on the hand. The star center fielder immediately felt the impact and had to leave the game, albeit reluctantly. Tensions rose even higher when Gleyber Torres was also hit by a 94-mph fastball on the hand a couple of innings later. While Torres managed to stay in the game, it was clear that the Yankees were feeling the pressure of losing two key players to such incidents.
For Judge, the injury brought back memories of a similar incident in 2017 when he fractured a bone in his right wrist after being hit by a pitch. That injury sidelined Judge for nearly two months, impacting the team’s performance significantly. Last season, he missed another two months due to a torn ligament in his right big toe, further highlighting his importance to the team. Given his history of injuries, Judge’s relief at finding out that his hand was not fractured was palpable. The fear of another extended absence from the game was averted, allowing the team and its fans to breathe a sigh of relief.
Despite the scare, Judge expressed his desire to return to the field as soon as possible. Having started the majority of the team’s games this season, Judge has been a standout player, leading the team in various statistical categories. His consistent performance has made him a frontrunner for the AL MVP award, despite a slow start to the season. With the Yankees heavily relying on Judge’s contributions, his quick recovery would be crucial to their continued success.
The Yankees’ victory over the Orioles was marred by the injury to Aaron Judge. While the initial fears of a fracture were put to rest, the incident serves as a reminder of the fragility of professional athletes’ careers. Judge’s resilience and determination to return to the field are commendable, and his presence will be sorely missed if he is unable to play. As the team pushes for a spot in the playoffs, they will need Judge’s leadership and performance more than ever.
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