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Judge won't use injured shoulder as excuse for midseason slump

TAMPA, Fla. - For the first time, Aaron Judge admitted that the left shoulder he had arthroscopic surgery on in November started bothering him around the All-Star break last season -- right about the time he went into an extended slump.

"I felt it midway through the season last year," Judge reluctantly said Wednesday after a long pause, "but it came down to 'Can you play?' and I could play.' ... If I was able to play, I was going to go out there and be ready for my team."

The American League Rookie of the Year indicated surgery during the season had been a possibility, but believed it would be better to wait.