Judge’s status up in air after tests reveal fracture in rib
Now the New York Yankees know what’s wrong with Aaron Judge. As to when he’ll be OK to play, no telling.
Judge has a broken rib and it’s uncertain whether he will need surgery, leaving doubt when he can return to the lineup.
Manager Aaron Boone said he thought the star right fielder hurt himself making a diving catch late last season.
Judge will rest two weeks while recovering from the stress fracture to his first right rib. He hasn’t played in any spring training games while dealing with soreness in his right pectoral muscle and shoulder.
Judge underwent about a dozen tests, including and MRI plus CT and bone scans, to determine the source of his pain.
“It shows signs of healing so we’re going to give it the next couple and re-test to show how much healing is going on with that rib,” Boone said.
Removal of the bone is a possibility, depending on the healing process.
“I wouldn’t say that’s off the table, but you wouldn’t want to go do that right now especially if the bone is healing,” Boone said.
Since winning the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year award, Judge has been limited to 112 games in 2018 because of a broken right wrist and to 102 games last year due to a strained left oblique.
The Yankees already were minus outfielders Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Hicks. Stanton strained his right calf last month during defensive drills and will miss opening day on March 26. Hicks had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on Oct. 31 and is not expected back until summer.
• Friday’s highlights from around the Cactus and Grapefruit leagues: PHILLIES 9, TIGERS 0 >> Jake Arrieta threw four hitless innings for Philadelphia. Abrahan Gutierrez, a 20-year-old catching prospect, hit a grand slam and Nick Martini followed with a home run.
Detroit’s Spencer Turnbull allowed one run on a hit and two walks in his third start, pitching three innings and striking out three.
TWINS 5, RAYS 3 >> Yonny Chirinos started for Tampa Bay, pitching three scoreless innings on two hits.
PIRATES 19, BLUE JAYS 13 >> Colin Moran hit one of Pittsburgh’s eight home runs. Chris Archer started for the first time, pitching two scoreless innings and allowing a hit and a walk while striking out four.
Toronto’s Chase Anderson was tagged in his third start, yielding six runs on seven hits and a walk. Anderson has given up 11 runs in 5 2/3 innings for a 17.47 ERA this spring.
ANGELS (SS) 4, ROYALS (SS) 4>> Mike Trout homered for the first time this spring — a three-run shot — for Los Angeles. Anthony Rendon had a hit and is batting .417 this spring. Shohei Ohtani went 0 for 2 with a walk and is hitting .083.
ROCKIES 6, DIAMONDBACKS 6>> Ryan McMahon hit a pair of two-run homers for Colorado. Daniel Murphy had two hits, scoring twice. German Marquez made his second start, yielding two runs on three hits and a walk in three innings.
WHITE SOX 6, CUBS 3 >> Yoan Moncada had three hits, driving in a run and scoring for the White Sox. Moncada signed a $70 million, five-year deal earlier in the day. Ace Lucas Giolito made his first start, pitching a perfect inning.