Aaron Judge was basically playing the 2023 season on easy mode after a stellar MVP campaign last year, but things came to a grinding halt after a freak injury when the New York Yankees faced the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The reigning American League MVP made a breathtaking catch during a game at Dodger Stadium on June 3rd, but it came at a cost. He slammed into the right field bullpen fence and fell to the ground as he made the grab, tearing a ligament in a toe.
Judge was placed on the injured list and has yet to return to the lineup as we get set to head into the all-star break. We still don’t have a clear return date for the slugger.
Despite the impact the injury has had on Judge’s 2023 season, the Yankees star said he does not intend to pursue any legal action.
“Nah, no need,” Judge told the New York Daily News about a potential lawsuit.
It should be noted that there is a precedent for MLB players suing teams after being injured at ballparks. Former Yankees player Dustin Fowler filed a lawsuit against the Chicago White Sox over an injury he suffered at their ballpark when he slammed into an electrical box as he chased a foul ball in 2017.
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“It doesn’t feel great,” Judge told reporters Tuesday, which marked more than a month since he was injured. “I don’t think it will ever feel normal. I can move around pretty well, but any injury, [it can bother you for] a year or two or three years. You never know what it’s gonna feel like.”
Judge said it is unclear how long it will take for him to feel “normal” again.
Prior to the injury, Judge was hitting .291 with 19 home runs and 40 RBI in the first year of a nine-year, $360 million contract.
The Yankees are just 48-41 and sit some 8 games behind the first-place Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East. If the season ended today, the Yankees would not make the playoffs as they are also just out of the final playoff spot.
