The New York Yankees lost their captain, Aaron Judge, on June 2, forcing him to the injured list with a rib injury for an indefinite period.
Judge had been playing through this injury since late April. However, he was forced to reevaluate after he was unable to swing a bat without pain.
While the Yankees are 7-4 since then, a former Yankee feels that Judge’s injury is still going to affect the team long-term on and off the field.
Former Yankee Josh Donaldson addressed the injury on the “Get It Done League” podcast with Russell Martin, and how it will affect the team and Judge moving forward.
What Did New York Yankees Bust Josh Donaldson Say?
The 2015 AL MVP played with Judge and the Yankees from 2022 to 2023. The Yankees traded Gary Sánchez and Gio Urshela for Donaldson, Ben Rortvedt and Isiah Kiner-Falefa to solidify a contender.
It did not go as planned. In his two years in pinstripes, Donaldson stirred up a lot of controversy and didn’t back it up with his play.
In 165 games in New York, Donaldson had a horrible .207/.293/.385 slash line, while ruining his reputation.
But this isn’t the first time that Judge has been injured long-term, and Donaldson saw the impact of one of those. In 2023, Judge injured his toe and played just 106 games, potentially losing out on winning another MVP. In addition, the Yankees would miss the playoffs that year, going 82-80.
Donaldson saw what happened firsthand to the Yankees with that.
“I’ve been in that locker room when Aaron Judge is not playing,” Donaldson said. “It’s not the same team.”
Donaldson may be implying that the locker room and team will be in disarray during Judge’s absence.
However, the Yankees are on a tear despite Judge’s injury and have surged to first place in the AL East. So, is he right in saying that?
Ex-Yankees Bust Offers Eyebrow-Raising Take on Aaron Judge Injury