Yankees
New York Yankees’ center fielder Aaron Judge warms up before a game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, on April 30. AP

New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge has been on the sidelines since June 4 owing to an unfortunate injury. He crashed into the Dodgers stadium and twisted his toe ligament. When the persistent pain did not subside, the batter came forward to admit that he tore the ligament of his toe and is unsure of his return this season.

Aaron Judge’s latest statement caused chaos amongst the fans as the Yankees never clarified the exact nature of the captain’s toe injury. As the batter’s future participation in the season comes under serious threat, Aaron Judge just took his first step toward the possibility of a return. After three long weeks, he finally stepped onto the field, which is largely viewed as a promising sign.

   

Aaron Judge Plays Catch For The First Time Since Toe Injury

Aaron Judge
New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

31-year-old Yankees slugger Aaron Judge suffered a toe injury in a game against the Dodgers when he crashed into the fence. The initial diagnosis was a sprained toe. Hence, Judge was placed on the injured list to allow him time to heal and avoid aggravating the injury further. However, despite taking two plasma injections, his pain did not subside. After three weeks, Judge disclosed that he had torn his ligament, which is delaying his healing process. Amid this chaos and confusion, the batter just made a surprising move that caught the fans off-guard.

Aaron Judge played catch for the first time in three weeks in Oakland on Tuesday. Earlier, he abandoned the schedule to resume field activities over the weekend, citing significant pain. Hence, his recent move caught the fans by surprise. Speaking of the development, Judge said that playing catch is not a significant move toward his return. It is just a small step. There was still a long way to go before he could even think of stepping back into the batter’s box. Regardless, the captain felt good and will likely play catch again over the next few days. Still, there are no signs of a return timeline.

Yankees Manager Discloses Aaron Judge’s Biggest Challenge In The Road To Recovery

Aaron Judge
Judge circles the bases after a home run against the Dodgers. Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire/AP

Aaron Judge’s resuming field activities indicates progress in his recovery. While it doesn’t provide an exact timetable for his return to game action, it is an encouraging sign for both the player and the team. Meanwhile, the manager, Aaron Boone, briefed about the captain’s recovery plan and said that the biggest challenge he will have to overcome is to swing without facing any discomfort. Once he gets there, an early return would be inevitable.

Meanwhile, Aaron Judge’s absence has been keenly felt by the Yankees. As one of the team’s most potent offensive weapons, his absence has left a void in the lineup. The Yankees have struggled offensively during his absence, highlighting the impact that Judge’s return could have on the team’s fortunes. That being said, it’s a long road to recovery for Aaron Judge, and all he can do is just hope for the best. In the meantime, the veteran gang needs to step up and cover for their captain, as it’s the least they can do.