Yankees slugger Aaron Judge back in posted lineup after sitting out 9 days with abdominal injury

New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge walks in the dugout before a spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Sunday, March 10, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge was in the posted lineup for Wednesday night’s game against Pittsburgh after sitting out nine days with an abdominal injury.

Judge hadn’t played since March 10, when he struck out in both at-bats against Atlanta. He had an MRI the following day.

Judge started feeling discomfort with his abdomen during his swing’s follow-through a couple weeks ago.

Judge missed 42 games last season with a torn ligament in his right big toe, an injury sustained when he ran into Dodger Stadium’s right-field fence on June 3. He has said the toe is feeling great.

Third baseman DJ LeMahieu, who fouled a ball hard off his right foot on Saturday, remained out of the lineup with a bone bruise.

“Trying to get the swelling out first and foremost, and doing as much as I can,” LeMahieu said. “I can already tell a difference in three or four days. A lot of improvements.”

LeMahieu said the foot is still sore when he walks, and is undergoing daily treatment. He could resume swinging a bat in a couple days and is hopeful of being ready for the opener on March 28 at Houston.

“I’ve had a good spring training,” LeMahieu said. “I’ve had plenty of at bats. I’m pretty much ready already, so that’s definitely my goal.”

LeMahieu was slowed the past couple seasons by a right toe injury.

New York found out last week that ace Gerrit Cole won’t throw for three to four weeks due to nerve irritation and edema in his throwing elbow. The right-hander will need a spring training-like period after he resumes throwing and is not expected back until late May at the earliest.

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