Yankees superstar Aaron Judge is out of the lineup for a third straight day.
The back-to-back AL MVP has been described as day-to-day with a bone bruise, and his absence from Thursday’s lineup means he did not start any of the contests in this three-game set against Cleveland.
The Yankees have not officially placed Judge on the IL, but missing a third straight game — he did not play Tuesday nor Wednesday — doesn’t seem to be a good sign.
On Thursday morning, manager Aaron Boone said there is “still nothing new” on Judge.
The team told reporters he had been dealing with discomfort and soreness in the bruise near his right rib cage.
Boone acknowledged Wednesday night a lack of “clarity” as to the extent of Judge’s injury, and they’re not yet sure as to what they are dealing with.
He saw a specialist Wednesday that confirmed what the Yankees have seen thus far on his injury, but will return to the specialist for “more high-power, more specific” tests in the rib and chest to get a stronger diagnosis.
The bruise has reportedly been lingering for a couple of weeks and worsened last weekend in Sacramento during the A’s series. Judge hasn’t appeared in a game since Sunday.
Judge has had a good start to the season, even if the numbers aren’t as stunning as they have been in the past. He’s slashing .248/.375/.533 with 17 home runs and 38 RBI in 59 games.
Since May 11, however, Judge is 14-for-68 (.206) with just one home run, eight RBIs and 19 strikeouts. He could not identify what specific day his discomfort started, per Boone.
The Yankees face the Guardians in their series finale Thursday at 1:35.
