Results from a test revealed that Judge has a broken rib, and according to multiple reports, it is not clear if he will need surgery. The Yankees are hoping it doesn't go that route.
Judge hurt himself last September while diving for a baseball, but didn't notice the pain during the off-season. When Spring Training kicked off, and workouts intensified, only then did Judge begin to experience discomfort. He has not participated in any spring games as a result.The plan is for Judge to rest at least two weeks while he recovers from the stress fracture which has created soreness in his pectoral muscle and shoulder. And of course, there is no timetable for his return.
This is bad news for the Yankees and Judge, obviously. The Yankees have been the walking wounded this spring with the loss of Luis Severino (Tommy John Surgery), James Paxton (back) and Giancarlo Stanton (right calf). Severino is out for the season, Paxton will be out until May, at the very least, and Stanton has no timetable for his return.
Add Judge into the mix, and things are getting dicy for the Bronx Bombers.
The Yankees deep talent pool on the bench and in the minors will be greatly tested once again. Last season the Yankees had to make 39 moves on the injury list and still managed to win 103 games. This team is capable of winning still, even without Judge in the lineup, but it will be tougher.
Judge is quickly developing the reputation of being injury prone. In 2018 he played in only 112 games because of a broken wrist. Last season Judge played in only 102 games with a strained left oblique.
The Yankees are at the point where they cannot rely on the 6-foot-7 slugger to be in the lineup on a regular basis - a huge problem, especially when that hitter is capable of slugging 50-plus homers when healthy. If surgery is required, it will almost definitely push Judge's timetable back from weeks to months.
One thing is for sure, the Yankees will be without their top two sluggers for the start of the 2020 season.
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