Yankees Rumors: Is Aaron Judge Hurt? Injury Concerns Persist For New York Star

The New York Yankees raised some eyebrows when Aaron Judge wasn’t included in the lineup for Wednesday night’s game against the Baltimore Orioles. The right fielder is being given a day off just six games into the 2021 MLB season, furthering previous speculation that Judge might be battling some sort of injury.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters that Judge isn’t playing because of soreness in his left side. The 28-year-old hasn’t yet undergone any medical tests, according to Boone.

“With the off-day tomorrow, I don’t want to take any chances,” Boone said.

The Yankees don’t have a game scheduled Thursday. New York starts a three-game series in Tampa Bay Friday.

Judge is among the Yankees’ hottest hitters. New York has defeated Baltimore in two straight games, during each of which Judge has hit a home run. Judge has five hits in his last eight at-bats with a walk and five RBI heading into Wednesday’s series finale.

Prior to Opening Day, there was speculation among fans that Judge might be hurt. Judge didn’t play in a game for three straight days at the end of spring training. Boone dismissed the idea that Judge was hurt, saying the superstar was simply sick.

Judge started the Yankees home opener and each of the next four games. Despite his hot streak at the plate, New York’s No. 2 hitter didn’t look completely comfortable playing the outfield or running the bases Tuesday night.

In his first full MLB season, Judge was the runner-up for the 2017 AL MVP award. Judge has battled injuries in every season since, always missing at least 30% of the team’s games.

In last year’s truncated 60-game season, Judge was limited to just 28 games.

Only Mike Trout started the 2021 season with better odds than Judge to win the AL MVP award.