TAMPA, Florida – New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge underwent an MRI on Monday after experiencing discomfort in his abdominal area. However, he is expected to start swinging again later this week and remains hopeful to be ready for Opening Day.
“We ran several tests and they all came out fine,” Judge said. “That’s what I told them, that I felt a little beat up and that I would need a couple of days. I hope to be out there soon.”
Judge explained that the discomfort was in the middle part of his abdominals, not his obliques, and mainly felt after swinging. He attributed it to the extensive work he had been doing since the offseason.
“I think because I was swinging every day from November until now. That wears you out,” Judge said. “Especially after the injury. That messes with your mechanics a little bit, until you start working on some things.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone mentioned that Judge was experiencing “mid-spring fatigue” due to his workload in the batter’s boxes and backfields. Judge had left Sunday’s Grapefruit League game against the Braves after two at-bats, but both he and Boone clarified it was a planned strategy.
Judge has played six Grapefruit League games so far in the preseason and expressed a desire to have around 30 at-bats before the start of the regular season.
“There’s no reason to rush things now,” Judge said. He believes taking a few days off now is better than potentially missing games in April or May due to an injury.