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

Coleen Rooney oozes beauty in bikini as Wayne shows off eye-catching hair transformation

Former footballer Wayne Rooney sported a very unusual hairdo as he enjoyed his sunny Ibiza getaway with wife Coleen, who looked gorgeous in a two-piece bikini Coleen…

Victoria Beckham shares update on David Beckham after surgery with cheeky recovery video

David Beckham was in hospital recently but his wife Victoria Beckham has shared an update with a video of the retired footballer back at home but sporting…

Taylor Swift fans spot ‘clue’ Matty Healy took aim at singer during Glastonbury performance

The 1975 fans think they spotted a very subtle swipe at Taylor Swift during their Glastonbury headliner performance as lead singer Matty Healy made a ‘poet’ reference…

Dick and Angel Strawbridge inundated with support as they share emotional announcement

The Strawbridges documented their renovation of their stunning French home on Channel 4’s Escape to the Chateau, but after the show ended last year, they kept fans…

Noel and Liam Gallagher spark fury from Oasis crew with ‘money pinching’ decision

Oasis have been accused of being so ‘about the money’ that even their hard-working crew haven’t been given any free tickets to their upcoming reunion tour Liam…

Meghan Markle releases new As Ever wine and £21 jar of honey

The Duchess of Sussex has finally revealed the newest range of lifestyle products with her brand As Ever, surprising many with the outrages prices and limited availability…