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

Sergio Perez Now Faces a Significant New Obstacle in His Bid to Secure a Seat with Cadillac for the 2026 Formula 1 Season, Raising Doubts About His Future in the Sport as This Challenge Could Have Serious Implications for His Prospects in the Highly Competitive F1 World.

Sergio Perez would have been looking on at what’s happening at Red Bull Racing this week with great interest after losing his seat on the grid at…

Helmut Marko has issued an official statement regarding the future of Red Bull Racing, providing insights into the team’s plans following the shock removal of Christian Horner from his position. The decision has sent ripples throughout the Formula 1 world, and Marko’s comments aim to clarify Red Bull’s next moves.

Photo: © IMAGO Red Bull F1 advisor Helmut Marko has opened up on the team’s future following the shock dismissal of Christian Horner. Horner was removed from his…

The FIA’s Penalty Controversy That Cost Oscar Piastri a Well-Deserved Win: An In-Depth Look at the Decision That Shook the Racing World.

Lando Norris Triumphs at Silverstone, but Was Oscar Piastri’s 10-Second Penalty Fair? The 2025 British Grand Prix at Silverstone was a spectacle, with Lando Norris emerging victorious…

Christian Horner ‘Convinced’ Ferrari Move Depends on One Key Factor as Scuderia Targets Red Bull’s Ex-Chief.

Christian Horner might not have to wait long to receive offers to return to Formula 1 after Red Bull Racing sacked the Briton from his role as…

Ferrari Finally Opens Up About the Shocking and Unexpected Challenges Behind Their Struggles in Formula 1, Revealing the Complex Factors That Have Contributed to Their Ongoing Performance Issues, and What They Plan to Do to Overcome These Obstacles and Return to Their Former Glory in the F1 World.

Ferrari’s 2025 Formula 1 Season: The Road to Recovery The 2025 Formula 1 season has been a year of highs and lows for Scuderia Ferrari, with the…

The Surprising Impact of Christian Horner’s Red Bull Decision: Why George Russell May Lose the Most

The news that Red Bull Racing have parted ways with team principal Christian Horner took the Formula 1 world by surprise on Wednesday morning. Red Bull and Christian Horner are…