Enrique RojasESPN Digital Senior WriterReading: 3 min.
NEW YORK — For the second time this season, The The New York Yankees will have to play without Aaron Judge.
New York has placed its superstar slugger on the disabled list with a concussion and sprained ligaments in his right thumb, it was announced Wednesday.
According to team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmed, Judge did not have a broken or broken toe.
“The most important thing right now is trying to get the swelling out,” manager Aaron Boone said. “He’s had some improvement, but we’ll see where he’s at now over the next few days and later in the week. But the most important thing is to get the swelling out.” “I think it definitely could have been worse. I’m sure it would have been on the short side of things.”
Judge was injured while making a running catch Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers and crashed into the outfield fence and has not played since.
He spent time on the disabled list earlier this season with a right hamstring strain. When healthy, Judge has once again put up MVP-type numbers, hitting .291/.404/.674 with 19 home runs and a 2.2 bWAR in 49 games.
New York’s launch depth is also being tested.
Néstor Cortés will be placed on the disabled list with a left shoulder injury. Boone noted that Cortez had trouble rebounding between starts. He is expected to miss at least two starts.
Cortez has a 5.16 ERA in 11 starts, striking out 59 batters in 59⅓ innings.
In place of Cortez, New York called up Randy Vasquez from Triple-A. The right-hander made his major league debut on May 26 against the San Diego Padres, allowing two runs in 4⅔ innings pitched.
Additionally, pitcher Ryan Weber was diagnosed with a UCL strain and has been placed on the 60-day disabled list. The 32-year-old right-hander has pitched in eight games this season, posting a 3.14 ERA in 14⅓ innings.
In a related roster move, the Yankees recalled outfielder Billy McKinney.