New York Yankees' outfielder Aaron Judge was absent from the starting lineup in the game against the Baltimore Orioles following an incident where he was hit on the left hand by a pitch. The Yankees' manager mentioned that Judge was feeling better and even managed to take some swings in the indoor batting cage, indicating a positive sign for his recovery.
Although Judge's absence was felt in the lineup, Trent Grisham stepped in to replace him in center field and bat ninth. The Yankees' ace Gerrit Cole was set to make his season debut after recovering from a right elbow injury.
The unfortunate incident occurred during the previous night's game when Judge was struck by a 94.1 mph fastball from Baltimore starter Albert Suárez. Despite leaving the game shortly after, X-rays and a CT scan revealed no serious injury, providing relief to Judge and the team.
Reflecting on the incident, Judge expressed his relief at the news of no fractures or breaks, especially considering a past injury where he missed 45 games due to a broken right wrist from a similar incident in 2018.
Known for his impressive batting statistics, Judge currently boasts a .302 batting average and leads the major leagues with 26 home runs and 64 RBIs. The five-time All-Star and 2022 AL MVP has been a key player for the Yankees, setting records and making significant contributions to the team's success.
Following this incident, the baseball community was reminded of the risks involved in the sport, as seen with another star player, Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who recently suffered a similar fate with a broken left hand after being hit by a pitch.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties that come with being hit by high-speed pitches, players like Judge remain resilient and focused on their recovery, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the game and the importance of player safety.
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