The New York Yankees are currently playing without their captain and star slugger, Aaron Judge. The pillar of the team’s offense sustained a toe injury last week while playing against the Dodgers at the latter’s home ground. A dangerous defensive play attempted by Judge led to the injury, which will now keep him out for an indefinite period of time.
Aaron Judge has escaped a fracture. He was diagnosed with a contusion in the ligament of the right foot toe. However, since the toe is swelled up, the Yankees medical team is unable to carry out any further tests. Hence, the waiting game is to continue for now, as the Yankees have no return timeline in place. Meanwhile, one of Judge’s own teammates has made a ridiculous comment on the events that led to the slugger’s injury.
Yankee Teammate Feels Aaron Judge Should Have Avoided The Catch That Caused Toe Injury
Yankees captain, Aaron Judge, received praise from all over the league when he completed a stellar defensive play last week against the Dodgers. He covered over 70 feet in less than 5 seconds to complete the catch. However, it did not end well for the slugger as he crashed into the fence, which injured his toe. Later, after multiple tests and assessments, the Yankees placed him on IL without an official return timeline. Moreover, as expected, the Yankees’ offense has started to crumble in his absence. Since Judge’s injury, the Bombers have recorded 3-4 while hitting at an average of 3 runs per game. Certainly, Judge’s absence is hurting the team badly.
Meanwhile, an anonymous Yankee teammate has passed on a bizarre comment on Aaron Judge’s injury, which has garnered unwanted controversy. Speaking to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the unnamed Yankee player said that Judge should have aborted the catch attempt. Meaning the Yankees captain should have stood there and watched the ball cross the fence. Whoever has made this statement does not know Judge at all. Aaron Judge is a highly committed athlete. Over the years, he has made a name for himself by pulling off such defensive plays in the outfield. And even if Judge did let the ball slide, he would have a hard time explaining why he did not move an inch from his spot. Overall, the suggestion made by the unnamed Yankee player stands against the integrity of the sport and received criticism from all over the league.
Yankees Over Dependence On Its Captain Is The Reason For Their Downfall
Criticizing someone for committing a difficult defensive play is the most awful thing one can say about its own teammate and captain. One Yankee player has caused a major uproar over suggesting Aaron Judge avoid such plays. But what led the anonymous player to pass such a ridiculous comment? Maybe because of the Yankees’ failure post-Aaron Judge’s absence. The Yankees have been unable to score since Judge left the field. But as per the basic definition, baseball is supposed to be a team sport.
Hence, Aaron Judge’s injury is not the problem. Instead, it’s the Yankees’ overdependence on its captain that has led to their downfall. One cannot expect a certain player to stay available for them for the whole tournament that too in his prime form. That’s a ridiculous ask. A baseball team has nine batters. All collectively are responsible for helping the team win. Hence, if the Yankees want to ensure success, they have to look past their captain and summon the other batter to step up.