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Aaron Judge removed from game after HBP and Yankees fans are losing their minds

By Thomas Carannante

Jun 18, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge (99) reacts after being hit by a pitch during the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge (99) reacts after being hit by a pitch during the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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UPDATE: Judge's X-rays and CT scans have come back negative and he said he hopes to be in the lineup on Wednesday. Whew.

Of course, we can't have nice things. Classic stuff. It was only going to last for so long. Ben Rice's MLB debut. Gerrit Cole's 2024 debut on Wednesday. It was all coming up New York Yankees ... until it wasn't and Aaron Judge left Tuesday night's game with a potential injury.

Judge was hit by a pitch on his left hand in the third inning and it immediately did not look good. He was wincing in pain and wandering out on the field. It looked like he wanted to break Orioles pitcher Albert Suarez in half for his errant fastball. But he kept his cool, stayed in the game, and scored a run.

When he returned to the dugout, he went into the clubhouse and that's when everyone officially got nervous. But then he came back out. He returned to play defense in the top of the fourth. Crises averted!

Well ... not quite. Judge was removed before his at-bat in the bottom of the fourth in favor of Trent Grisham, and now we're not having any fun.

Judge was on an absolute heater en route to another AL MVP award, and now fans are concerned he has a broken hand, which would really just ruin everything.

Aaron Judge removed from game after HBP and Yankees fans are losing their minds

Please don't be a repeat of 2018 when Judge missed 60 games with a broken wrist after a similar hit by pitch. Please.

The Yankees lost two pitchers — Ian Hamilton and Cody Poteet — on Tuesday when it was revealed both would hit the IL. That's something the team can absorb. Same with the Anthony Rizzo injury. But not this. And not now.

Let's just say it's going to officially be a bad time to be an Orioles fan, because Yankees fans will be relentless in making sure their season is as stressful and unenjoyable as it can possibly be, regardless of their success, if Judge has to miss an extended period. Take that to the bank.

The Yankees can start that journey by holding onto this 4-0 lead. And we'll be waiting with bated breath for a positive Judge update.

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