Advice to Aaron Judge Ahead of Playoffs
Former New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia has issued a direct warning to team captain Aaron Judge regarding his recovery from a right calf strain as the team prepares for the postseason. Speaking with the New York Post, Sabathia advised Judge not to rush his return for the start of the playoffs, drawing parallels to the long-term physical consequences he has faced following his own playing career.
Sabathia acknowledged the mindset required to play through injury but emphasized the importance of caution. "I understand that mindset," Sabathia said regarding Judge's desire to return for his teammates. He noted that while players must keep going and play even when sad about injuries, the risk of aggravating a condition is significant.
The warning comes as Judge deals with an injury that has persisted throughout the season. Sabathia observed that Judge "has been hurt all year," highlighting the cumulative toll on the team's best player. The Yankees are scheduled to begin their wild-card series on Tuesday, a timeline that places pressure on Judge's availability.
Personal Experience With Injury
Sabathia grounded his advice in his own post-career reality. He stated that he pitched through knee and shoulder injuries during the latter part of his career and is now living with the consequences. At age 46, Sabathia requires a knee replacement and has undergone shoulder reconstruction.
When asked if he would change his decision to stay on the mound despite those injuries, Sabathia said "No." However, he acknowledged that at nearly 50 years old, he frequently thinks about the physical toll of his career. His comments serve as a cautionary tale for current players navigating similar decisions.
Historical Precedent With Derek Jeter
Sabathia referenced a specific historical example from his time with the Yankees to illustrate the potential risks. He pointed to Derek Jeter playing with an injured foot into the playoffs in 2012 before fracturing his left ankle in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against Detroit.
Sabathia noted that Jeter "went down" and was unavailable for the remainder of the playoffs. He suggested this is a scenario Judge could face when the wild-card series starts Tuesday. Although the Yankees were swept in the 2012 series, Sabathia stressed the importance of showing up to play.
He acknowledged the difficulty the team faces without its best player. "It's hard to be without your best player," Sabathia said, underscoring the impact Judge's absence would have on the roster.
Sabathia's Upcoming Retirement
The conversation also touched on Sabathia's own impending departure from baseball. He described his upcoming No. 52 retirement and plaque unveiling in Monument Park before Game 1 of Friday’s doubleheader as potentially topping his Baseball Hall of Fame enshrinement.
Sabathia said finishing his career in Monument Park is "incredible," particularly after coming to the Yankees as the highest-paid pitcher ever at the time. He expressed satisfaction that he felt he lived up to that expectation during his tenure with the team.