Aaron Judge Injury History

Aaron Judge is a professional baseball player for the New York Yankees. Judge was selected by the New York Yankees during the first round of the 2013 MLB Draft. Judge made his debut in August 2016 and continues to play for them as of 2025.

In recognition of his performance, he was awarded the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year title in 2017 after breaking rookie records with a total of 52 home runs. In the same year, he also received the AL MVP runner-up accolade. By 2024, he has been named an All-Star six times, including 2017 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, and has won three Silver Slugger Awards in 2017, 2021, and 2022. Aaron Judge's leadership capabilities led him to be appointed the Yankees captain, starting in 2023.

Aaron Judge's injury history

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Oblique Strain (September 2016)

In September 2016, during his rookie season, Aaron Judge suffered his first major injury - a right oblique strain. This injury ended his season prematurely after just 27 games. The strain limited his ability to hit and play defense, and he struck out frequently before landing on the injured list.

Shoulder Surgery (November 2017)

After a stellar Rookie of the Year season in 2017, Judge underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder in the offseason. The injury had bothered him for most of the season, especially post-All-Star break, affecting his swing. Although the surgery was deemed minor, it impacted his early 2018 preparation.

Wrist Fracture (July 2018)

In July 2018, Judge fractured his right wrist after being hit by a fastball. The chip fracture forced him to miss nearly two months. He returned in September but struggled to regain his full power, and the Yankees were eliminated in the ALDS that season.

Oblique Strain (April 2019)

Judge experienced another oblique strain in April 2019 during a game against the Kansas City Royals. This time, it kept him out for about two months, and when he returned in late June, the injury lingered and affected his performance for the rest of the season.

Rib Fracture and Collapsed Lung (March 2020)

In March 2020, Judge was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his ribs, believed to have stemmed from a diving catch attempt in late 2019. The injury went undetected for months and also caused a partially collapsed lung. While the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the season, giving him more recovery time, Judge struggled with various lower-body injuries throughout the 2020 season.

Calf Strains (August 2020)

Judge suffered a calf strain in August 2020, initially returning after 10 days on the injured list. However, he re-aggravated the same injury shortly after returning, causing him to miss additional time and struggle with lingering discomfort for the rest of the season.

COVID-19 List (July 2021)

In July 2021, Judge landed on the COVID-19 list after testing positive for the virus. Though he avoided significant physical issues that season, he missed time during a crucial part of the year.

Hip Strain (April 2023)

In April 2023, Judge suffered a hip strain while sliding into third base during a game against the Minnesota Twins. Although initially thought to be a hand injury, it was later diagnosed as a hip issue. The judge returned after a minimum of 10 days on the injured list.

Toe Injury (June 2023)

In June 2023, Judge tore a ligament in his right big toe while making a catch at Dodger Stadium. The injury caused him to miss two months of the season and severely impacted his ability to run and pivot, continuing to bother him throughout the remainder of 2023. When Judge returned to play, the injury continued to affect his performance.

Hand Injury (June 2024)

On June 19, 2024, Judge dealt with a hand injury after a 94.1 mph fastball from Albert Suárez hit his left hand, further limiting his playing time. Although not as severe as previous injuries, it added to his long list of physical setbacks. After the incident, Judge immediately dropped his bat and was in pain.

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