Aaron Judge was unable to make it into the Yankees lineup on Wednesday night.
The star outfielder will not start against the Orioles and will be evaluated day-to-day, manager Aaron Boone said before Wednesday’s game.
Boone added that Judge will “hopefully” return to the lineup on Thursday.
Judge was hit in the left hand by a 94 mph fastball from Orioles starter Albert Suarez in the third inning and was removed one inning later by Trent Grisham, who came in to pinch hit for him.
The anxiety that rocked Yankees circles was eased somewhat after Judge announced after the game that X-rays and a CT scan came back negative.
“It’s a relief,” Judge said. “I got hit there a few years ago and broke my wrist. When you get hit on the inside from above 94 degrees, especially on your hand, you never know what’s going to happen. There’s some swelling, but I think I’ll be OK.”
Judge said he will try to play in Wednesday night’s mid-series game.
Judge hit an RBI single in his first at-bat and the Yankees won 4-2 against their AL East rivals.
The Yankees’ offense struggled last season without Judge, going 19-23 in June and July after the slugger tore ligaments in his toe while slamming into a wall at Dodger Stadium.
Judge has formed a dynamic partnership with Juan Soto so far this season, batting .302 with 26 home runs and 64 RBIs.
