New York Yankees: Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge Injury Updates

New York Yankees, Aaron Judge
Apr 14, 2019; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) hits an RBI single against the Chicago White Sox during the third inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees‘ two sluggers have both succumbed to the injury bug this season, being placed on the 10-day injured list. With a majority of the team fighting to regain their place on the starting squad, arguably the Yankees’ best hitters remain sidelined with no return in sight.

Stanton was placed on the injured list after picking up a bicep injury but after healing, he suffered a shoulder burn which has kept him rehabbing. As to how he picked up an injury while not playing or training is mindblowing, but that seems to be the reality the Yankees are facing currently.

How long with the New York Yankees be without their sluggers?

The expected return date for Stanton is still likely a few weeks away, but we are getting closer to that consideration. Aaron Judge, on the other hand, has a significant oblique strain that will keep him out for quite some time.

After a relatively normal swing of the bat, Judge came up gimpy, lightly jogging to first base on a single to right field and was immediately pulled from the game. He’s at least several weeks away from swinging a bat again, putting the Yanks and their homerun-centric style of play in jeopardy.

Luckily, starting catcher Gary Sanchez has returned from his own ailment and is featuring as the cleanup hitter with Voit batting third. There is still enough power and on-base % to score runs, but the efficiency simply isn’t there. The lack of starting pitching strength and inconsistency in the bullpen has hurt the team recently.

However, the Yanks have managed to win 7 of their last 8 games, which has been a positive story in of itself. Looking at the batting order you would think the starting team would be mediocre in the minors, but they have managed to squeeze out wins in dire moments.