New York Yankees star Aaron Judge is set to return to action in Wednesday night’s exhibition game against Pittsburgh following an eight-day absence due to an abdominal injury. However, the status of leadoff hitter DJ LeMahieu for the opening day remains uncertain due to a foot injury.
Judge has been sidelined since March 10 when he struck out in both of his at-bats against Atlanta. During his recovery, he has been engaging in tee work, soft toss, and batting practice against a pitching machine in an indoor cage. Manager Aaron Boone emphasized a cautious approach to Judge’s return, aiming to prevent the injury from worsening.
Regarding LeMahieu, he fouled a ball off his right foot on Saturday, but CT scans revealed no break. He will undergo evaluation every two to three days.
While Boone expressed optimism about LeMahieu’s chances of playing in the opener against Houston on March 28, he emphasized the importance of prioritizing LeMahieu’s health over rushing him back onto the field.
LeMahieu had previously dealt with a right toe injury late in the 2022 season and the first half of 2023, prompting Boone to prioritize his well-being over immediate returns to play.