One year after winning AL MVP and setting the league's home run record, Aaron Judge is struggling to stay healthy.
The 31-year-old outfielder revealed on Saturday that he has a torn ligament in his toe. Judge suffered the injury, which was at first believed to be a sprain, on June 3 after crashing into the outfield wall while making a catch at Dodger Stadium. He was placed on the injured list on June 6.
“I’m not giving you any timeline. There’s no need,” Judge told reporters on Saturday. “I’ve just got to get better and then I’ll be out there.”
At this time, Judge has yet to resume hitting or playing catch. He added that he still feels pain when he walks and is unable to run.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone wouldn't guarantee that Judge would return this season when asked about it on Saturday.
“That's an absolute," Boone said. "I can't say that about anyone. But yeah, I feel like he's going to be back."
MLB
Judge signed a nine-year, $360 million deal to stay with the Yankees in December -- the third-largest deal in baseball history. The team has struggled with Judge sidelined this season, going 11-16 when he's been out of the lineup. He also missed 10 games in late April and early May due to a hip injury.
Entering play on Saturday, the Yankees hold a half-game lead over the Blue Jays and Angels for the final AL wild card spot.
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The Yankees will be in Oakland without Judge this week, facing the A's in a three-game set from June 27-29.
