The 2023 season was a mixed bag for New York Yankees’ captain Aaron Judge. The star player, after starting the season on a firm note, experienced an injury. It kept him on the sidelines, with the future looking bleak for him as it progressed into a torn ligament. However, Judge’s determination to contribute to the team helped him to return to the playing squad, even with pain.

Reportedly, the 2022 AL MVP had a painful return due to the injury not fully healed. But he kept going with the help of medications. However, it also made everyone feel he may require surgery after the season to heal his toe. Given it’s almost a week since the season ended, what is the update on this?

A Fateful Visit to the Dodger Stadium

Road games are special for teams, especially when a team defeats the vehement opposition. The same was true for the Yankees, who were not at their best but gave a run to the Los Angeles Dodgers through a complete team effort. It included a high jump from Captain Aaron Judge onto the gate at the Dodger Stadium.

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Although it resulted in an out, the hard landing resulted in a broken toe. This was not what the Yankees wanted. It hit hard on Judge’s future, with 2024 also coming into the fray as the team struggled to find answers to his absence and off the field.

Given that $360 million star was the most crucial player on the team, it created team pressure. It increased with every loss until they revealed in early July that Judge might go for surgery in the offseason.

So has the situation progressed yet? If not, when will it, is all what fans are wondering.

Is Aaron Judge undergoing surgery?

Engaging in physical sports presents various challenges, including the need to maintain fitness and the subsequent task of regaining fitness post-surgery. But sometimes, it takes longer for the latter situation. On top of that, the journey remains tough in case of recovery from torn ligaments.

Given the off-season won’t last for longer, with spring training starting in January next year, it provides a limited time buffer for a player. Thus, fans did not want Aaron Judge to have surgery, which could delay his return to the team. Commencing the season without adequate spring training can lead to an improper and risky start. However, to their relief, that will not be the case.

According to multiple reports, Judge will not go for surgery this season. Boone, during one of his media interactions, stated the same with The North Jersey. He shared, “I think he’s in a pretty good spot heading into winter. My understanding is no. I’ve kind of felt that way for a while.’’ It means the star player will be available as the spring training demands, becoming an enormous boost for the Yankees as they look to build for the 28th MLB World Series title.

A Giant Aaron Judge Boost for the Yankees Ahead of Crucial 2024 Season

The 2023 season was a disaster for the 27-time champions. They lost multiple games that failed their playoffs big, resulting in a postseason absence of years. It raised many questions, though one answer was clear: Aaron Judge’s injury did impact the team. The team lost multiple games in his absence, losing the advantage in the AL East to go on a never-ending chase for the wild card spot.

It is visible in his stats, which made him the best-performing player of the season even after missing 50-odd games. The 2023 All-Star finished the season with an average of 0.267, with 37 Home Runs and 75 RBIs at an OPS of 1.019. As a result, Judge secured the top position in both home runs and RBIs in the team’s overall statistics.

Given the Yankees missed the playoffs, only a margin of a few wins and Aaron’s presence for the entire season could have changed the situation. While it didn’t occur last season, the Yankees are optimistic that it will be realized in 2024. From the looks of the off-season, it seems to be the case.

Reportedly, Judge is ready for the next season’s challenge and is assisting the management for the best. His involvement in the team’s off-season signings is one aspect that, as a captain, Aaron is fulfilling. Brian Cashman’s acceptance that Judge is wholeheartedly involved in the decision-making depicts the same.

Top 5 Off-Season Targets for the New York Yankees

Cashman said to The NYP, “So I don’t think that it’s a problem at all. And when you partner with somebody for that kind of money, he’s gonna have some seat at the table, as he should. But this is a players’ game, no doubt about it, and they’ve got some good information that they can provide. We’re not going to ignore it.”

It is a big update and will help the Yankees build for a better season. With Judge also available, they can set up their offense well for a solid season, which the Yanks certainly missed in 2023. The work has already started with multiple players on the wishlist. It would be interesting to see who will join the Yankees captain on the offense for the upcoming season. Will it be Juan Soto or Cody Bellinger, or both? The time will tell.

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