by It’s “Hope Week” for the New York Yankees, and hopes are high in the locker room that their MVP Aaron Judge will return to the field this season.
Gerrit Cole is praying it happens soon.
The Yankees “Week of Hope” initiative, which is in its 14th year highlighting individuals, families and organizations worthy of recognition and support, kicked off on the TODAY Show Monday morning with Judge, Cole and Manager Aaron Boone interviewed about the start of the event. out before his series opener with the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium.
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New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) catches a fly ball off Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter JD Martinez (28) in the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
The interview focused on Judge’s health and how he’s been feeling lately after torn ligaments in his toe after making an incredible catch at Dodger Stadium. He has been out since June 3rd.
“Hopefully soon. We’ll see,” Judge said when asked when he’ll return to the team. “We’ve got the All-Star Game here, so hopefully that will give me a couple of days and we’ll be back soon.”
When co-host Craig Melvin said he was hearing Judge will return shortly after the All-Star break next week, he prompted Cole, who is enjoying a solid season again in pinstripes with a 2.79 ERA with 118 strikeouts. at 109.2 innings, pray. hands.
YANKEES’ AARON JUDGE PLAYS IN HIS FIRST BASEBALL ACTIVITY SINCE A TOE INJURY, AND NEARS HIS RETURN
Cole speaks for the entire organization and his fan base, as Judge’s absence has been clearly shown on the stat sheet.
It’s been a full 30 days since Judge suffered his toe injury, and the Yankees rank last in the MLB in batting average (.215), on-base percentage (.285) and next to last in OPS (.645). ).
New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge throws a couple of warm up pitches before a baseball game against the Texas Rangers on Sunday, April 30, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
However, even though the Bronx Bombers don’t quite fit that long-standing moniker, they do hold the third and final wild card seed in the American League right now, even though they’re just 1½ games clear of their Eastbound rival. American League, Toronto Blue. jays
Judge has tried to stay “locked in” since going on the disabled list as the franchise’s 16th all-time captain continues to monitor his recovery regimen while providing leadership and guidance to those who need it.
“Help a teammate, pick up a teammate. If I see someone struggling during a game, try to give them words of encouragement,” Judge said.
While Judge’s leadership continues to flourish off the field, the Yankees certainly hope he can lead by example very soon.
Side-by-side image with Gerrit Cole and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees. (fake images)
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The outfielder was enjoying more success in 2023 after setting a new AL single-season home run record with 62 big flies last year. He was hitting .291/.404/.674 with 19 home runs and 40 RBIs in 49 games.
