Aaron Judge recently told media members that he underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test on his abdominal section days after Gerrit Cole had an elbow MRI. Despite this revelation, the 2022 American League Most Valuable Player still hopes to play on Opening Day.
Aaron Judge when asked if he would be ready for Opening Day after having an MRI on his abdominal area yesterday:
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) March 12, 2024
"I'm pretty sure. I don't want to speculate or talk about anything that hasn't come yet. The most important thing is taking some time now and be back out there soon." pic.twitter.com/TNrMKmA47d
As the official Major League Baseball website wrote, Judge said he would cease batting until later in the week to heal the condition. The five-time MLB All-Star was taken out of Sunday’s game after two at-bats and winced in pain after the latter plate appearance.
The two-time All-MLB First Team member has an extensive injury history. A torn ligament on his right toe forced him to miss two months of action last season. In September 2016, he also dealt with a Grade 2 right oblique strain. Three years later, another oblique strain sidelined him for two months.
Judge hasn’t found his rhythm during Spring Training, hitting .143 out of 14 at-bats.
Aside from winning the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year Award, Aaron Judge is also a three-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He led the AL in home runs twice and in RBIs once. The California native received the 2023 Roberto Clemente Award.
In eight MLB seasons, Judge batted .282/.396/.586 with 846 hits, 572 RBIs, and 257 home runs in 3,005 at-bats.
-Lance Fernandez