The New York Yankees might be holed up in Tampa, but players recovering from injuries are getting all of the attention they need to make it back for the start of the 2020 regular season. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred stated that Opening Day would be pushed back at least eight weeks, giving players like Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and James Paxton ample time to heal.
Judge received a positive update on Friday to finish what has been a stressful week across the globe. A scheduled CT scan on his top right rib provided proof of recovery. However, it unearthed a previously unrevealed Pneumothorax problem — a collapsed lung.
Luckily, the lung has healed entirely, and the Pneumothorax is no longer an issue. He will remain at Steinbrenner Field for the time being to continue his rehabilitation program and begin light baseball activities.
Tyler Wade stated, according to NY Post:
“He looks great. His rehab, as far as I know, has been good,’’ Wade said inside the players’ parking lot while talking with reporters through a chain-link fence. “You know how he is. He doesn’t say much. It’s probably a blessing in disguise with all this stuff going on we get everybody back healthy.’’
According to MLB insider, Bryan Hoch, Judge experienced “slight improvement.”
Aaron Judge said that his CT scan showed “slight improvement” and he will have another test in a couple of weeks. Judge also said that his pneumothorax (which was previously undisclosed) is “completely gone,” so he can fly if necessary.
— Bryan Hoch ?? (@BryanHoch) March 20, 2020
Judge, who the Yankees need to be healthy for 2020, suffered the injury last September supposedly when diving for a fly ball. He had felt discomfort for months until they finally unveiled the source of the injury a few weeks ago. It’s crazy to think that the slugger had a collapsed lung but was still participating in regular activities.
The good news extracted from the most recent scan should indicate his readiness for the start of the season in what could be a few months. Starting pitcher James Paxton is also on pace to make a return in early May.