New York, NY – The New York Yankees have announced that outfielder Aaron Judge will not be in the lineup for Tuesday night’s game against the Baltimore Orioles. Judge was hit on the hand by a pitch in the Yankees’ 7-4 win over the Orioles on Monday night.
After the game, Judge underwent X-rays, which came back negative. However, the Yankees have decided to give Judge a night off to rest his hand and minimize any potential swelling or discomfort.
Judge is considered day-to-day, and the Yankees hope he will be able to return to the lineup for Wednesday night’s game against the Orioles.
In Judge’s absence, the Yankees will likely start Mike Tauchman in right field. Tauchman has been a fill-in starter for the Yankees this season, and he has performed well, batting .271 with 5 home runs and 17 RBIs.
Judge is having another MVP-caliber season for the Yankees. He is batting .328 with 30 home runs and 73 RBIs. He is also leading the American League in on-base percentage (.432) and slugging percentage (.742).
The Yankees are currently in first place in the AL East, with a record of 61-31. They are 5 games ahead of the second-place Toronto Blue Jays.
Injury Impact
Judge’s absence from the lineup is a significant blow to the Yankees. He is their best hitter and one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball. However, the Yankees have a deep lineup, and they have been able to win without Judge in the lineup before.
In 2018, Judge missed 50 games with a chip fracture in his right wrist. The Yankees went 28-22 in those games, and they still won the AL East.
The Yankees are confident that they can continue to win without Judge in the lineup. They have a strong rotation, a solid bullpen, and a deep lineup.
Return Timeline
The Yankees are hopeful that Judge will be able to return to the lineup for Wednesday night’s game against the Orioles. However, they will not rush him back if he is not ready.
The Yankees have a 10-game road trip coming up, and they would like to have Judge back in the lineup for that trip. Judge is a key part of the Yankees’ offense, and they need him to be healthy and productive if they want to win the World Series.
Conclusion
Aaron Judge’s absence from the Yankees’ lineup is a significant blow, but the Yankees are confident that they can continue to win without him. They have a deep lineup and a strong pitching staff. Judge is expected to return to the lineup soon, and the Yankees will be even better when he does.