Yankees have 1 glaring Aaron Judge problem before postseasonoriginally appeared onThe Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as aPreferred
New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge has been out since May 31 due to a fractured rib.
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New York’s offense has suffered because of it.
Now more than ever, the AL East club needs its three-time MVP back in the lineup. But there’s one glaring question about Judge’s recovery.
Will he be at 100% when he returns to the diamond? As of now, there’s no way of knowing the answer.
“Judge spent more than a month playing through pain in that rib until it simply became unbearable,” ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez wrote. “And though it’s safe to say Judge will find a way to return this season, it’s also fair to wonder how healed he’ll be.”
Gonzalez wonders that even with the right fielder in the lineup, the Yankees may not be an offensive force in the postseason if New York’s captain is not fully healed.
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“But this team lives and dies with Aaron James Judge,” Gonzalez added. “They’re probably not going anywhere if he’s not close to prime form.”
MORE: <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/boston-red-sox/news/mlb-experts-red-sox-adley-rutschman-trade-most-surprising/62a8c58fb6513dc2c723e91b” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”>MLB experts voted Red Sox’s Adley Rutschman trade as most surprising by wide margin
Judge was recently cleared for light activities, so it may be a few more weeks before the eight-time All-Star starts swinging or begins a rehab assignment.
Since Judge was placed on the IL, the Yankees rank 28th in the Majors in OPS and 27th in runs per game.
Their offense badly needs his presence, but there’s no guarantee that he will be able to play at an MVP level.
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