Aaron Judge undergoes an abdominal MRI as the Yankees’ injury concerns of the week continue

The New York Yankees’ spring of good vibes is quickly turning into a bad dream.

Star slugger Aaron Judge told reporters in Tampa that he had an MRI on his abs Monday — a day after manager Aaron Boone said ace Gerrit Cole would have the same test on his pitching elbow.

Judge said that while he still hopes to play on Opening Day, “there’s no real need to push it,” and he won’t swing a bat until later in the week, according to MLB.com.

On Monday, Boone said that Judge would likely be in Wednesday’s lineup. That clearly doesn’t seem to be the case now.

Judge was pulled after just two at-bats in Sunday’s game. He appeared to wince after taking a swing in his second at-bat. After that game, Boone said that it had been planned that Judge would only take two at-bats. On Monday, Boone described Judge as simply “mid-spring beat up.”

Judge has only had 14 at-bats this spring, hitting .143.

Judge missed two months last season after tearing a ligament in his right big toe crashing into a wall at Dodger Stadium, an injury that virtually tanked the Yankees’ playoff hopes. He has had issues with his midsection in the past, suffering a Grade 2 right oblique strain in Sepember 2016, ending his season. In 2019, he dealt with a left oblique strain that held him out two months.

As for Cole, the Yankees haven’t revealed the results of his MRI and Boone said the Yankees may not reveal them until Wednesday. Boone said that the right-hander and 2023 American League Cy Young Award winner was having difficulty recovering between throwing sessions this spring. He’s started just one spring training game and the rest of his work has come in live batting practices.

How concerned should New York be?

The Yankees can’t afford to lose Judge or Cole for any significant amount of time. While it appears Judge’s MRI turned out OK — considering he says he’ll begin swinging again soon — the fact that his status for the start of the season is in question has to worry the Yankees.

Opening Day is in Houston on March 28.

The addition of star Juan Soto would soften the blow of losing Judge. But the Yankees had been envisioning putting Judge behind Soto in the lineup for at least 150 games this year. Plus, the rest of the Yankees’ lineup if dotted with question marks. Can DJ LeMahieu and Giancarlo Stanton stay healthy and return to the MVP-caliber versions of themselves? Can Anthony Rizzo shake off the concussion that marred his 2023 campaign? Can Anthony Volpe improve at the plate in his second year in the majors? Will Alex Verdugo be able to handle the spacious left field at Yankee Stadium while performing in his walk year?

If Judge must miss time, the Yankees would likely slide Trent Grisham into center field full-time until Judge can return. The lefty-hitting Grisham is considered one of the best defensive center fielders in the game but his offensive production has tailed off with a combined 84 OPS+ over his previous two seasons, both with the San Diego Padres.

Related Posts

KATE GARRAWAY LIKE YOU’VE NEVER SEEN HER BEFORE! 😱 The TV Star Turns Heads in Skin-Tight Lycra as She Channels Her Inner Sandy — and Friends Reveal It’s All Thanks to Her Young New Love 💃❤️🔥

Kate Garraway has left fans stunned with her boldest transformation yet — slipping into skin-tight lycra leggings and a cropped leather jacket as she channeled Grease icon Sandy Olsson for Global Radio’s Make Some Noise Day on Friday….

UNBELIEVABLE: Lorraine Kelly Shares ASTONISHING NEWS About Her Daughter That Leaves Viewers Completely STUNNED

UNBELIEVABLE: Lorraine Kelly Shares ASTONISHING NEWS About Her Daughter That Leaves Viewers Completely STUNNED This week,  Lorraine Kelly’s daughter Rosie made an announcement to her Instagram followers….

EXCLUSIVE: Strictly Come Dancing Stars Kai and Lauren Make Joint IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT Surprising Fans

Two stars of Strictly Come Dancing have delighted fans with an announcement about how they’ll ‘keep dancing’ into the coming year. Fans of the beloved BBC programme…

“I’m really sorry” Joe Sugg boyfriend of Strictly’s Dianne Buswell breaks silence with four words after baby news

Strictly’s Dianne Buswell’s beau Joe Sugg says ‘I’m sorry’ in move after baby news (Image: GETTY) Strictly Come Dancing stars Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg found love on the BBC series when the…

Karen Barber’s TEARFUL Plea: “We Need Your Prayers” for Christopher Dean’s Early-Onset Parkinson’s Battle — Skating World in SH0CK! 💔❄️“We Need Your Prayers”: Karen Barber’s Tearful Update on Christopher Dean’s Health Shakes the Ice Skating World

“We Need Your Prayers”: Karen Barber’s Tearful Update on Christopher Dean’s Health Shakes the Ice Skating World Just 30 minutes ago in Buckingham, the figure skating community…

“I Didn’t Want to Upset Anybody” : Christine Lampard Reveals Secret ‘Break-Up’ Fears With Footballer Frank… What She Finally Dared to Say Stuns Fans.k

Christine Lampard reveals she didn’t meet Frank’s daughters for a year in case they broke up Christine and Frank married in 2015 and he already had two…