Following last Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Twins, both Juan Soto and Aaron Judge have been mainstays for the New York Yankees this season.
Soto, who had been sidelined for three games due to a forearm injury, has been a strong asset alongside Judge in the Yankees’ lineup. While he was cleared to swing a bat by the weekend series with the Dodgers, he didn’t take the field, resulting in the Yankees losing two out of three games.
Good news: Soto is set to return for Monday’s game against the Kansas City Royals.
On the flip side, the bad news is that Judge will be missing his first game of the season. Judge was on fire, hitting .500 with three home runs, showcasing his value to the team.
Judge’s absence, as Jack Curry from the YES Network mentions, is not a major concern. Even though Judge was the AL MVP in 2022 and a crucial player for the team’s success, a day off might benefit him in the long run.
It’s important to note that Soto’s return is vital for the team, considering his impressive stats this season. His absence in the lineup left a gap as one of the team’s top performers.
Boone clarified that Soto’s removal during the game against the Twins was precautionary. The team will be anxiously awaiting his return to full fitness.
As for the upcoming game against the Royals, expect a new No.3 batter for the Bronx Bombers, along with pitcher Seth Lugo taking the mound with his impressive 9-1 record and a 2.13 ERA.