Yankees manager, Aaron Boone, expresses frustration over Aaron Judge's performance, causing a stir among fans.
Yankees Slugger Aaron Judge Focused on Health and Availability to Defend AL Title
New York Yankees' outfielder Aaron Judge, determined to defend the team's American League (AL) championship, is aiming to maintain his on-field presence, having faced several health challenges in his career.
According to manager Aaron Boone, Judge, now 33, is particularly frustrated by his past misfortune with injuries, which have led to missed games. Boone emphasized that Judge's newfound discipline in maintaining his health has been evident since 2021, as he has played in 89% of regular-season contests—a significant increase compared to the 63% he appeared in from his second year to the 2020 shortened season.
"I think it's the biggest thing, getting a chance to play every single day, and I can make those adjustments," Judge said. "If I have a couple of bad games, I can make an adjustment, figure it out, and get to work."
Judge currently leads Major League Baseball (MLB) with a .391 average, 18 home runs, 47 RBIs, and a 1.227 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS). Despite these impressive statistics, the star player underscores that being available for his teammates is crucial for his success.
"It's all about staying on the field," Judge stated. "You stay on the field, and you're going to produce." His improved health has allowed him to maintain his best form consistently, demonstrated by his historic performance since April 27 of last year—leading MLB with a 244 wRC+ and 15.8 fWAR.
As the Yankees prepare for a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers—a World Series rematch starting on Friday—they currently sit atop the AL East with a 35-20 record. Judge's dedication to his health and availability will be a key factor in the team's success as they aim to defend their title.
Rumors of an impending MLB championship for the New York Yankees are heightened by Aaron Judge's impressive statistics and focus on health. Despite past struggles with injuries, Judge has shown discipline in maintaining his health, leading to increased availability on the field. Unresolved rumors about potential injuries could still jeopardize Judge's ability to defend the American League title and help the Yankees secure a victory in their rematch against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the upcoming series.
