Yankees’ Aaron Judge Heads to Injured List; Mariners’ Raleigh Hits 40th Homer

The New York Yankees have announced that captain Aaron Judge will be placed on the injured list due to a flexor strain in his right elbow. An MRI confirmed that there is no damage to the ulnar collateral ligament, providing some relief to the team. Manager Aaron Boone indicated that Judge will be sidelined for 10 days to two weeks, during which he will refrain from throwing. Upon his return, he is expected to serve as the designated hitter, while Giancarlo Stanton, the team’s primary DH, will begin workouts in the outfield.

Judge’s injury comes just as the Yankees are struggling, having recently lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in a 9-4 defeat. This marked the second time this season Judge was absent from the starting lineup. The Yankees’ defense has been under scrutiny as well, having committed ten errors in their last five games.

In a standout performance on the same day, Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners became the first player this season to reach 40 home runs. His tiebreaking solo shot in the sixth inning helped propel the Mariners to a 7-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. Raleigh’s impressive homer traveled 416 feet, marking his second long ball in eight games since winning the Home Run Derby. Additionally, Julio Rodríguez contributed with his fourth homer in three games.

In another notable matchup, the Phillies capitalized on a series of mistakes from the Yankees. Bryce Harper hit a home run deep into the right-field bleachers, and Kyle Schwarber delivered a two-run double following New York’s tenth error in just five games. Trea Turner also made an impact, driving in two runs, helping the Phillies to outscore the Yankees 21-9 in the first two games of their three-game series.

The intensity continued in a game between the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals, where benches cleared for the second consecutive night. Both Manny Machado and Willson Contreras were hit by pitches, igniting tensions on the field. The incident occurred in the ninth inning of the Padres’ 3-1 victory, highlighting the ongoing rivalry between the teams.

As the baseball world buzzed with these developments, attention turned to Cooperstown, where Ichiro Suzuki is set for induction into the Hall of Fame. Suzuki, renowned for his meticulous approach throughout his 19-year career, will be honored alongside CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner. Notably, Dave Parker and Dick Allen will receive posthumous honors.

In player movement news, the Kansas City Royals acquired veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk from the Arizona Diamondbacks. The trade involved right-hander Andrew Hoffmann, who has made three appearances for the Royals this season. Grichuk, who has spent the last season and a half with the Diamondbacks, is expected to strengthen the Royals’ lineup moving forward.

In the NFL, Terry McLaurin, wide receiver for the Washington Commanders, reported to training camp after a four-day holdout amid ongoing contract negotiations. McLaurin is entering the final year of a three-year extension signed in 2022, and both parties have yet to reach an agreement.

In international sports, the United States swimming team is facing challenges due to a case of acute gastroenteritis that has affected performance levels at the World Championships in Singapore. The outbreak reportedly originated from a training camp in Phuket, Thailand, with several swimmers already impacted, including Torri Huske and Claire Weinstein.

On a brighter note, Summer McIntosh from Canada secured her first gold medal at the championships, winning the 400-meter freestyle. McIntosh aims to collect five gold medals in individual events throughout the competition, a feat previously only accomplished by legendary swimmer Michael Phelps.

Finally, in Formula 1, Lando Norris of McLaren is set to start in pole position at the Belgian Grand Prix. He aims to extend his winning streak to three consecutive races, building on his recent emotional victory at the British Grand Prix. The possibility of rain adds an unpredictable element to the race, which could complicate Norris’ pursuit of continued success.