, but in the immediate aftermath there was not euphoria to celebrate both an important June win and Cole being on deck for his 2024 MLB debut. There was concern.He played through the bottom of that frame.
Judge’s initial words suggest that the worst was indeed averted. He said the X-ray and CT-scan were negative. There is still swelling. But Judge did not not dismiss being on the field for Cole’s 2024 premiere. It didn’t feel like 100 percent in the clear. But like withAt this point — like with Soto — the Yankees will take a few missed games for Judge, even against Baltimore, compared to where their minds inched at times Tuesday.
The work by Luis Gil in replacement of Cole and the rest of the starters has been sensational. But it feels as if Judge would not be so seamlessly replaced. In part because he is Aaron Judge performing at the top of his form. And in part because even the player they would like most to summon if the worst had come — Jasson Dominguez — has an oblique injury and is going to miss time after being down most of this year recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Suarez entered with a 1.61 ERA, the lowest of any pitcher with at least 40 innings. He has been one of those fill-in starters who helped the Orioles to the AL’s second-best record. But his wildness was overt as was the Yankees’ patience. Suarez allowed six hits, walked five and had the potentially seismic hit by pitch of Judge in throwing 96 pitches and recording just 11 outs against three runs. Boone was not present for the start of the game.