Manager Aaron Boone began Saturday by expressing optimism that some of the Yankees’ star hitters were inching closer to returning.
Then Aaron Judge was forced out of their 9-2 win over the Royals with a left oblique injury suffered on a swing when he singled to right in the sixth. He was sent to New York Presbyterian Hospital to undergo an MRI exam.
Judge jogged to first on the play in clear discomfort and was removed from the game for pinch-runner Tyler Wade.
He seems certain to head to the injured list. Judge would be the 14th player sent there by the Yankees this season, with Gary Sanchez seemingly days away from rejoining the team on its upcoming West Coast trip after being sidelined with a strained calf.