Yankees Notebook: Aaron Judge awaiting official word on hip
ARLINGTON — Aaron Judge’s right hip discomfort “doesn’t seem too serious,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said after the slugger underwent an MRI on Friday, but the team is still waiting for a clearer picture on the extent of the injury.
Boone said head team physician Dr. Chris Ahmad needs to read the results of Friday’s testing before the Yankees make a further determination on the reigning American League MVP’s status.
“It seems like it could be day-to-day, but it also could be a short stint [on the injured list]. We’ll have to see when Dr. Ahmad weighs in,” Boone said after the Yankees’ 5-2 road loss to the Texas Rangers.
Judge got banged up on an awkward head-first slide into third base during Wednesday’s series finale against the Minnesota Twins but managed to remain in that game. He also rolled up on his hand during the slide.
He started Thursday’s game against the Rangers but left in the fourth inning, saying afterward he felt the hip grab at him.
“Woke up this morning and you kind of feel a little bit more of what happened,” Judge said Thursday, referring to the slide. “Culmination of having that and a couple swings today [and] really couldn’t get it loose. You feel a little something there in the second at-bat, and best to shut it down and try to reevaluate and see here in a couple days.”
He added Thursday night, “You don’t want to come out of any game, but I’m not too concerned about it.”
Judge wasn’t in the lineup Friday and didn’t address the media before or after the game.
The testing Friday was only for Judge’s hip, Boone said.
Judge leads the Yankees with six home runs and 14 RBI in 2023. Lefty-hitting outfielder Jake Bauers, who has nine home runs for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season, was in the Yankees clubhouse at Globe Life Field before Friday’s game. He is “on the taxi squad, for now,” Bauer said.
RELIEVER UPDATES
Jonathan Loáisiga was also getting tested Friday after experiencing soreness as he works to return from right elbow inflammation, Boone said.
The hard-throwing righty came in “pretty sore” Thursday after his throwing session a day earlier, according to the Yankees manager.
Loáisiga last pitched April 5 and has a 2.70 ERA and one strikeout in 3.1 innings.
Fellow reliever Lou Trivino is scheduled to get a second opinion on his injured elbow Monday after recently experiencing a setback. Trivino hasn’t appeared in a game this season.
SEVERINO AND RODON MAKE PROGRESS
Two key starting pitchers made progress toward their returns, with Luis Severino and Carlos Rodon both throwing Friday.
Severino, who is out with a lat strain, threw 40 pitches during a live session, according to Boone.
“I heard he looked really good. Sounds like it went well, so we’ll see how he’s doing tomorrow and he’ll fall into probably going on the fifth day or the sixth day,” Boone said. “It will probably be another live [session] but it could be the start of the rehab.”
Rodon, meanwhile, threw 22 pitches during a bullpen session. The lefty suffered a left forearm strain in the spring and later experienced a setback with his back.
“I think it’s been slow healing this week but getting steadily better,” Boone said of Rodon.
Neither has pitched this season.
