“Didn’t Think It Was Smart,” Aaron Judge Opens Up on Yankees Exit After Suffering Lower-Body Tightness

Aaron Judge returned to the New York Yankees lineup earlier this month after being out from the start of June due to a rib fracture.

“Didn’t Think It Was Smart,” Aaron Judge Opens Up on Yankees Exit After Suffering Lower-Body Tightness

Aaron Judge (Image via X/@TalkinYanks)

Aaron Judge had an early exit on Wednesday night. In the game against the Minnesota Twins, the New York Yankees captain left the game early following some tightness in his lower body. He later opened up about this and claimed he did not think it was smart enough to push through the pain barrier.

The 3-time American League MVP just returned to the Yankees lineup earlier this month. He was out of action since early June following a rib fracture.

As per Judge, he suffered this injury while attempting a diving catch against the Houston Astros in late April. Despite feeling some pain, he continued to play on.

This eventually cost him 3 months of game time. He was placed on the 60-day injured list and returned to action after 99 days away from the field.

This past Monday, Judge hit his first home run since his return and helped the Yankees qualify for the postseason. On Tuesday, the Bronx Bombers won handsomely once again.

Wednesday, however, raised some concerns. After striking out twice in his first two at-bats, he was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the 6th inning.

The Yankees failed to get the sweep as they fell 5-4 in 13 innings. After the contest, Judge revealed feeling some tightness in his lower body. He later expressed that he did not want to cost the team by pushing through the pain and thus exited the game.

I was just stuck out there for a couple of innings, but especially going into an off day tomorrow, I didn’t think it was smart to push it too much here. Like I said, I didn’t want to cost the team down the road as that game was going.

Aaron Judge told the reporters as per YES Network

Judge did sit out of the game on Tuesday after starting 6 straight games. The Yankees have a day off on Thursday before a weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. With an important 4-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays next week, the team could take some precaution with him for this weekend series against the D-backs.

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Aaron Judge had an interesting comment for his teammate Cam Schlittler regarding the MVP Award

The New York Yankees’ pitching department this season has been led by Cam Schlittler. In his first full season, the right-handed pitcher has found himself in the mix for the American League Cy Young Award. Recently, Aaron Judge made some interesting comments regarding his teammate for the AL MVP award.

Aaron Judge and Cam Schlittler
Aaron Judge and Cam Schlittler (Image via X/@YankeeReport_/X/@TalkinYanks)

While the Cy Young Award is given to the best pitcher in the respective league, the MVP is given to the best player. There have been instances where pitchers have won the MVP award.

Judge was recently asked whether Schlittler could be an MVP candidate as well. The 35-year-old drew a line between the two awards but did claim he was pitching like an MVP and had his vote for the Cy Young Award.

He’s definitely pitching like an MVP. But they’ve got a Cy Young Award for a reason, best pitcher in the game. He’s got my vote, definitely, for the Cy Young.

Aaron Judge said regarding Cam Schlittler as per Bryan Hoch

The last traditional pitcher to win the MVP award was Clayton Kershaw in 2014. The former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher went 21-3 and had a 1.77 ERA with 239 strikeouts. That season saw him clinch his 3rd Cy Young Award.

Schlittler is currently 14-6 in 31 starts with a 1.95 ERA and 228 strikeouts. His ERA is only bettered by Milwaukee Brewers’ ace Jacob Misiorowski, who, with a 1.89 ERA, is the hot favorite to win the NL Cy Young Award this year.

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