UPDATE: After the New York Yankees faced a crushing 5-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALDS on Wednesday night, right fielder Aaron Judge has not ruled out the possibility of undergoing offseason surgery on his injured right elbow.
In his post-game comments, Judge stated, “We’ll definitely do some work on it… I’m not a doctor, I don’t know,” highlighting the uncertainty surrounding his recovery. This statement comes on the heels of a season devastated by injury, including a significant flexor strain diagnosed in late July, which sidelined him for critical games.
Judge, 33, was placed on the injured list due to the debilitating elbow injury, which made throwing extremely painful. He made a comeback on August 5, but only as a designated hitter while he continued to rehabilitate. Despite the limitations, he returned to right field just a month later, as the Yankees battled for a playoff spot.
During the final stretch of the season, Judge showcased remarkable resilience. He played the last six regular-season games and seven postseason games in the outfield, improving his arm strength significantly. In Game 1 of the ALDS, he recorded a 90.2 mph throw, slightly above his average from the previous season. However, his arm’s condition remained compromised.
Despite these challenges, Judge continued to shine at the plate. He concluded the regular season with an impressive .331 batting average and 53 home runs, winning the batting title. In the postseason, Judge delivered one of the best performances of his career, going 13-for-26 (.500) with a 1.273 OPS, four walks, and seven RBIs across seven playoff games.
His standout moment came during Game 3 of the ALDS, where he launched a game-tying three-run homer off a 100 mph fastball from Blue Jays’ pitcher Louis Varland at Yankee Stadium. Unfortunately, his efforts were not enough to prevent the Yankees from being eliminated, extending the franchise’s championship drought to 16 seasons.
As the Yankees regroup for the offseason, Judge’s potential surgery looms as a significant storyline. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this decision unfolds. What happens next for Judge and the Yankees remains uncertain, but the urgency for recovery is clear as they look to rebound from this disappointing postseason.
For updates on Judge’s condition and the Yankees’ offseason plans, stay tuned as developments continue to emerge.
