NEW YORK – As if things weren’t going lousy enough for the Yankees…
After the Mets’ half of the fourth inning Saturday at Citi Field, a tossed ball from teammate Anthony Volpe accidentally struck Yankees captain Aaron Judge near his right eye.
Judge emerged with a small bandage beside his right eye, near his temple, as he took his position in right field for the last of the fifth.
Following the Yankees’ sixth straight loss, 12-6, Judge gave a clipped “good” when asked about his condition and said he wasn’t sure if the baseball or his sunglasses caused his cut.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he “didn’t know what happened initially’’ as Judge came off the field.
“Of course I was concerned,’’ said Boone. “(He) had a little cut. I don’t think, in the end, (it’s) anything too serious. But initially, obviously, very concerned.’’
After the final out of an inning is made, Yankees players routinely toss the baseball around. But apparently, Judge wasn’t looking after Tyrone Taylor was struck out to end the fourth and the infield relay began.
Judge is often the last player to receive a third-out baseball after an inning to toss into the stands.
As he jogged in from right field, near the second base position, Judge – unaware a thrown ball was nearing him – could be seen on video taking a baseball off the right side of his face and causing his sunglasses to pop off.
At the time, the Mets led Saturday’s afternoon game, 5-2. Judge went hitless in his two at-bats before the incident, then followed with two groundouts and a walk.
