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NEW YORK — Although it took doctors four days to finally diagnose the stress fracture in Aaron Judge’s rib cage, the slugger identified the exact day, time and play when the injury occurred.
It was April 26 in Houston, when Judge dove for a shallow fly ball hit by Dustin Harris in the fifth inning. The play appeared routine, although Judge’s path was complicated trying to avoid a collision with Jazz Chisholm who was pursuing the ball from the infield.
Although Judge didn’t know it at the time, the impact caused a hairline break in the first rib on the right side. The slugger brushed aside what seemed like minor discomfort at the time, choosing to remain in the lineup for the next six weeks as the Yankees dealt with other injuries.
“Big G (Giancarlo Stanton) is hurt, Max Fried’s hurt, we had a lot of guys banged up,” Judge said Friday night. “You’ve got to be out there. That’s what they’re paying me to do, to go out there and play.”
Not only did Judge soldier on, he kept the injury to himself. Neither GM Brian Cashman nor manager Aaron Boone – or even the training staff – was aware the captain was less than 100 percent.
But the daily wear and tear of playing the outfield took its toll. By the time the Yankees were facing the A’s in Sacramento last weekend, Judge’s swing had changed enough for Boone to notice.
It was only on Monday, when Judge underwent his first round of tests, that the Yankees grasped the severity of the situation. Team physician Chris Ahmad was concerned by the results of the MRI.
Swelling in the area interfered with a clean image and prevented a conclusive diagnosis. He recommended a follow-up with Dallas-based vascular surgeon Gregory Pearl, who confirmed the break Thursday night.
The Yankees were told Judge needs 4-6 weeks of complete rest. That means no activity whatsoever above the waist while the rib heals.
As for when Judge can return, both he and the Yankees refuse to speculate.
“I don’t like talking timetables,” the captain said. “That stuff’s all made up.”
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“We’re intentionally trying to not put out any guesstimates, because that’s what it would be – a guess,” Cashman added. “We just have to let the thing (heal). After that, we can map out a runway.”
In the meantime, the Yankees called up outfielder Spencer Jones from Class-AAA. He acknowledged the pressure of replacing a superstar.
“Cabby (Oswaldo Cabrera) gave me a good quote,” Jones said. “He told me, ‘New York doesn’t need any heroes. They just need you.’ That’s kind of how I’m framing it.”
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