When New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge was initially diagnosed with a sore shoulder, most believed he would return in due time. However, he has missed all of the preseason games up to this point and is still working through with caution.
Manager Aaron Boone remains unsure as to when Judge will be cleared to take the field. He has participated in individual drills but has refrained from throwing and batting with live pitches.
“I don’t know, we will see. He hit in the cage [Thursday], the first time live so, I got to see what the next step is,’’ Boone said Friday.
At the beginning of spring training, the Yankees ensured the media that they would take it slow with Judge so that he is 100% healthy for the regular season. His workload has gradually increased, but not to a point where they have a timetable for return solidified.
On Sunday, though, March will be in full effect, and the clock is ticking as to when Judge will finally earn some live-action wraps and begin to prepare for the season opener.
Along with the Judge, the Yankees also lost Luis Severino to Tommy John surgery, and James Paxton will miss a minimum of three months after having lower back surgery to remove a cyst. Not to mention Giancarlo’s injury, which will keep him out for at least one week and potentially the beginning of the regular season.
Boone stated that it would be a close call for Stanton to be active on March 26 when the Yankees open the season against Baltimore.
“I mean, it makes it seem that I don’t take care of myself,†Stanton said. “Which makes it that much more frustrating.â€
“There’s no word for what I feel, really,†Stanton said. “I need to get back to where I need to be. It all depends on this week and next week and going forward.â€
Clearly, frustration is setting in for the high-priced slugger, and the Yankees can’t afford to have any more players go down with minor injuries that take far too long to correct.