MLB

Aaron Judge’s hand on the mend as bright spot in ugly Yankees day

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Published June 20, 2024, 8:27 p.m. ET

Aaron Judge made it back into the Yankees lineup Thursday, and his bruised left hand appears to be OK. 

Two days after being drilled on the hand by a 94 mph fastball from Baltimore’s Albert Suarez, Judge was in center and batting third for the Yankees in an otherwise ugly 17-5 loss to the Orioles in The Bronx. 

Aaron Boone said the swelling in Judge’s hand was going down, but he was still experiencing some discomfort.

Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits a two-run homer driving home Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees during the third inning.
Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits a two-run homer driving home Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees during the third inning. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

Despite that, Judge was one of the few bright spots on a sultry Thursday afternoon, with a two-run homer and an RBI single, both ripped. 

He provided some of the only highlights against Baltimore, who won another series from the Yankees.

It was so bad that Judge, along with Juan Soto, were replaced in the field in the top of the eighth. 

With the Yankees trailing by seven runs thanks to the unexpected implosion by Luis Gil — knocked out in the second inning — Judge hit his 27th homer of the season in the bottom of the third, a two-run blast that made it 8-3.

The 110 mph shot was a bullet to right-center. 

He added a two-out laser RBI single to left that just got under the glove of a diving Austin Hays to drive in Anthony Volpe.

New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees is greeted by his teammates in the dugout after he scores on his two-run homer driving home Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees during the third inning.
New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees is greeted by his teammates in the dugout after he scores on his two-run homer driving home Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees during the third inning. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

That hit went 114 mph. 

Prior to the game, Boone said Judge gave the manager a “thumbs-up” after he underwent treatment and hit in the cage. 

Judge left Tuesday’s game in the fourth inning, but the Yankees avoided a worst-case scenario when imaging came back negative.

He was unavailable for Wednesday’s loss in The Bronx, when the Yankees let Jahmai Jones strike out looking to end the game with the tying run on base. 

Boone said he would “probably” keep a close eye on Judge on Thursday, but noted, “I watch him pretty closely, anyway. I think we should be in a good spot [with the injury].” 

Boone was pleased to be able to put Judge and his MVP-worthy numbers back in the lineup Thursday. 

“It’s definitely a good feeling,” Boone said. “Obviously, the caliber of player he is [and] he’s the captain in that room, too. Guys rally around him. And not only him back in the lineup adding length to the lineup so guys are in different spots.”