Aaron Judge, the star player for the New York Yankees, was forced to sit out of the game against the Baltimore Orioles due to a hand injury. This injury occurred when he was hit by a pitch on his left hand during the previous game. Although Aaron Judge was feeling better the next day and even took some swings in the batting cage, the team decided it was best for him to rest and recover.
Trent Grisham stepped in to replace Judge in center field for the game, while the Yankees’ ace Gerrit Cole made his season debut after recovering from an elbow injury. Judge was hit by a fastball from the Orioles’ pitcher, but thankfully X-rays and a CT scan showed no serious damage. This was a relief for Judge, especially considering he had previously suffered a broken wrist from a similar incident a few years ago.
Despite this setback, Aaron Judge has been having an impressive season, batting .302 with 26 home runs and 64 RBIs. He is a key player for the Yankees and a five-time All-Star. In 2022, he was even named the AL MVP after hitting 62 home runs, breaking a longstanding record.
Unfortunately, injuries from being hit by pitches are not uncommon in baseball. Just recently, Mookie Betts from the Los Angeles Dodgers also suffered a similar fate when he broke his left hand after being hit by a pitch. These incidents serve as a reminder of the risks that players face on the field, especially when facing pitchers throwing fastballs at high speeds.
Aaron Judge expressed his gratitude for not sustaining a serious injury this time and emphasized the unpredictability of such incidents. Being hit by pitches, especially in the hands where there are delicate bones, can have serious consequences. Judge’s focus now is on recovering fully and getting back on the field as soon as possible to continue contributing to his team’s success.
Injuries are an unfortunate part of sports, but they are also a testament to the resilience and determination of athletes like Aaron Judge, who work hard to overcome setbacks and return to the game they love. As fans, we can only hope for a speedy recovery for Judge and look forward to seeing him back in action soon.