Aaron Judge still feels discomfort in his right big toe, though he has begun light tossing and hitting off a tee.
Still, given his latest update, Judge likely is still far away from a return, and Evan isn’t sure the Yankees can keep their heads above water without their MVP.
Last week, Craig Carton said Judge wouldn’t be back this season. After strongly opposing that take, Evan can’t shoot it down so emphatically anymore.
“After what Aaron Judge said yesterday, that thought is now kind of gaining some credence,” Evan said. “You can’t assume that he’s gonna walk in the door. We’re one month into this, we’re gonna be a least a few more weeks into this…are they good enough?
“Can they play a little over .500 baseball over the final few months of the year, and make it without him? That’s the think I’m not convinced about. Last year, their offense sunk without Aaron Judge. He was the team last year.”
Judge carried the Yankee offense down the stretch last season, when their historic start was nearly derailed by a surging Rays team, but Judge helped New York win the AL East title. But Judge won’t be back any time soon, and Evan doesn’t see the Bombers making the playoffs is Judge misses much more time.
“They’ve won games without him over the last month…but that’s what I’m skeptical about,” Evan said. “I don’t know if they’re a playoff team without him. I’d lean towards no.
“If he’s not back in late July, or mid-August, or dare I say September, I don’t think the guys in this lineup are gonna be able to step up enough to help this team make the postseason.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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