New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge has suggested his toe might never "feel normal" as he recovers from a torn ligament suffered earlier this month.
On June 4, Judge - the reigning American League MVP - tore a ligament in his toe after he slammed into an outfield wall while making a spectacular catch against the Los Angeles Dodgers. His right foot banged the concrete below the padding of the Dodger Stadium wall, leaving the 31-year-old injured and without a timetable to return to Major League Baseball action.
The Dodgers later announced plans to cover the concrete with padding to ensure no other players follow Judge’s lead in suffering an injury. Dodger Stadium is the third-oldest ballpark in the major leagues after opening in 1962, and it sent Judge to the Injured List for the second time this season after he missed 11 games due to a hip strain.
On Tuesday, Judge revealed his uncertainty regarding how long the foot injury will take to fully rehabilitate. When asked how his toe was doing after walking and hitting off a tee before the Yankees’ 8-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles, he said: “It doesn’t feel great.
“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 acknowledged his running has to improve before he can return, as "running at 10 percent isn’t helping anybody". The Yankees captain referred to his dislocated finger from 2021, suggesting the long-term impact of the issue could be similar.
He also mentioned he will hold off on any potential surgery, adding: “There’s talks of surgery, but I don’t think we’re at that [point]. We’re not doing that this year.”
Surgery is an option, but often comes with a four-to-six-month recovery. Judge's injury situation is a major concern for the Yankees, who have struggled in his absence.
When asked if surgery could be on the cards when the Yankees’ 2023 campaign comes to an end, Judge said: “Yeah, but I’m not a doctor.”
Judge was named an All-Star starter, but the outfielder may not be able to suit up for theme in Seattle as he recovers from injury. He was seen playing catch recently, but Yankees manager Aaron Boone suggested Judge may not return in 2023. On Tuesday, Boone claimed Judge’s return date will be down to the player.
“When it’s right and he’s able to go, he’ll be able to go,” manager Boone said. “I’m confident he’ll be able to do it at the level we’re accustomed to seeing. It’ll take as long as it needs to. He’ll let us know…
“Over the last couple of years, he’s gotten very good at playing through things.”
Judge was named AL MVP after hitting a conference record 62 home runs last season. He has hit 19 homers in 49 games in 2023 while also batting .291 with 40 RBIs prior to his toe injury. Meanwhile, the 48-38 Yankees face the Orioles in their next contest on Wednesday night.
