Yankees superstar Aaron Judge is out of the lineup for a third straight day.
The back-to-back AL MVP has been described as day-to-day with a bone bruise, but his absence from Thursday’s lineup means he did not start any of the contests in this three-game set against Cleveland.
The Yankees have not officially placed Judge on the IL, but missing a third straight game — he did not play Tuesday nor Wednesday — doesn’t seem to be a good sign.
The team told reporters he had been dealing with discomfort and soreness in the bruise near his right rib cage.
Manager Aaron Boone acknowledged Wednesday night a lack of “clarity” as to the extent of Judge’s injury, and they’re not yet sure as to what they are dealing with.
He saw a specialist Wednesday that confirmed what the Yankees have seen thus far on his injury, but will return to the specialist for “more high-power, more specific” tests in the rib and chest to get a stronger diagnosis.
The Yankees face the Guardians in their series finale Thursday at 1:35.
More to come on this developing story…
