Aaron Judge won’t attend All-Star Game, says he’ll instead focus on rehabbing injured toe
Injured Yankee Aaron Judge won’t attend the MLB All-Star Game in Seattle, choosing instead to focus on rehabbing his ailing big toe, he announced Sunday night.
Judge, the reigning AL MVP, was voted an outfield starter by the fans, despite not playing since June 3.
“I wanted to take the time to say thank you to all the fans who voted me in as a starter for the 2023 All-Star game in Seattle,” Judge wrote on Instagram. “I feel truly blessed to be included in this group of outstanding players — it is an honor to be among those names.
“Unfortunately, I will not be making the trip to Seattle,” Judge continued. “I plan to take this time to heal and rehab so I can get back on the field for my team and all of you.”
Judge, 31, is a five-time All-Star. He hit .291 with 19 home runs and 40 RBI through 49 games before tearing a ligament in his right big toe on a running catch into the right field wall at Dodger Stadium. Neither Judge nor the Yankees have said when the star slugger will return.
Judge set an AL record last season with 62 home runs and signed a nine-year, $360 million contract in the offseason to remain with the Yankees. He was named the team’s first captain since Derek Jeter, who retired in 2014.
The Yankees’ only other All-Star is ace Gerrit Cole, who is 9-2 with a 2.85 ERA this season.
