Yankees’ Injury Update: Judge’s Recovery and Key Players on the Sidelines
The New York Yankees are navigating a challenging period as several key players deal with injuries, but there is some positive news for fans. Star outfielder Aaron Judge has been cleared of needing surgery on his elbow, which brings relief to the team and its supporters. However, other players such as shortstop Anthony Volpe and left-hander Carlos Rodon have undergone procedures and may be sidelined until May.
Judge suffered a flexor tendon injury in his right elbow in July, which limited his throwing during the season. After the team was eliminated last week, an MRI confirmed that no surgical intervention would be necessary. Manager Aaron Boone shared that Judge will take time off to focus on strengthening and rehabilitation. “He finished the season in a pretty good place as we saw continued improvements,” Boone said.
Judge’s injury occurred during a throw at Toronto on July 22. The 33-year-old returned from a 10-day stint on the injured list on August 5 and made a cautious return to the outfield on September 5. Despite the setback, Judge had an outstanding season, leading the major leagues with a .331 average and a 1.145 OPS. He hit 53 home runs with 114 RBIs and 124 walks. His performance in the postseason was equally impressive, hitting .500 with one homer, seven RBIs, and four walks.
Anthony Volpe and Carlos Rodon are both expected to start the season on the injured list. Volpe, the Yankees’ shortstop since 2023, underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair the labrum in his left shoulder. Head team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad performed the procedure. According to manager Aaron Boone, Volpe can begin hitting in four months but will need six months before he can dive on the shoulder. “The cleanup was more severe than the MRI result,” said general manager Brian Cashman.
Rodon had surgery to remove loose bodies in his left elbow and shave a bone spur. The operation was performed by Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Rodon will be out of action for eight weeks and cannot throw during this period.
Giancarlo Stanton, who faced challenges this season due to right and left elbow epicondylitis, does not require surgery. “He’s in a pretty good place,” Boone said. “He’ll treat it and everything but nothing expected for Big G.”
Despite these challenges, the Yankees remain focused on recovery and preparation for the upcoming season. The team has a record 27 World Series titles but has not won the championship since 2009. After beating Boston in the Wild Card Series, the Yankees lost a four-game Division Series to Toronto.
The 2024 season started with a strong 35-20 record, but the team struggled during a 25-34 stretch due to bullpen issues. They closed the season with a 34-14 record but fell short of winning the AL East to Toronto on a tiebreaker.
As the Yankees look ahead, they face questions about how their injury woes will affect the season. Will Anthony Volpe return to form after his shoulder surgery? Is Giancarlo Stanton’s recurring elbow issue a potential crisis for the season opener? How will Aaron Judge’s elbow injury impact the team’s performance? And could the Yankees’ injury problems worsen with players like Clarke Schmidt sidelined?
These questions remain unanswered as the team prepares for the next chapter of their season.
