Aaron Judge Leaves Door Open for Possible Return by Opening Day
By Jackson Thompson
After a wave of crippling injuries this spring, the New York Yankees are going to need all the help they can get when the 2020 season starts. However, their star outfielder believes that he could be there to provide that aid, despite a pectoral injury that was projected to keep him out at the start of the season.
On Thursday, 27-year-old slugger Aaron Judge addressed his health for the first time since he revealed he was experiencing shoulder soreness several weeks ago.
“You only need about 30 at-bats to get ready for the season. I’ve still got plenty of time for that."
— SI MLB (@si_mlb) March 6, 2020
Aaron Judge isn't ruling himself out for Opening Day just yet https://t.co/8MGy8JqKH5
“The goal is always to be ready for Opening Day,” Judge said to reporters. “You only need about 30 at-bats to get ready for the season. I’ve still got plenty of time for that. If I don’t get them here [in Grapefruit League games], I can go on the back field or go across the street [to Minor League camp] to get those at-bats. We’ve just got to get answers first.”
Judge has missed substantial time to injury in each of the past two season. In 2018 he was limited to just 112 games after getting hit in the hand in July against the Kansas City Royals. Then, last season he was limited to 102 games due to an oblique injury.
According to Steamer, Aaron Judge is expected to drive in 38 homers in 2020. I think he has a good possibility at driving in over 40 homers, but that's just me ?♂️ pic.twitter.com/MFEClCpFwO
— Dillard Barnhart (@BarnHasSpoken) March 2, 2020
In his one full season in 2017, Judge was an MVP candidate and hit 52 home runs, breaking the then-rookie record. He appears hopeful to return to full-time availability in 2020 with less than a month to go until Opening Day.