Judge hit by pitch on hand, exits in 4th vs. O’s

NEW YORK — New York Yankees star outfielder Aaron Judge left Tuesday’s 4-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles after he was hit by a pitch on the left hand.

The Yankees announced that Judge was to undergo imaging at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital on Tuesday night, and was also expected to be seen by Yankees team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad.

Judge took a 94-mph fastball from Albert Suarez on the hand in the third inning. He immediately grabbed the hand and paced around, out towards the mound in pain, and seemingly angry before walking to first base. He was examined by a trainer but initially stayed in the game.

He ended up scoring on an RBI single from Giancarlo Stanton and played center field in the fourth inning. Trent Grisham, however, pinch hit for him in the bottom of the frame.

Judge, 32, has started 74 of the Yankees’ 75 games this season. He has made 55 of the starts in center field. He is the leading American League MVP candidate despite a slow April thanks to otherworldly production since the start of May.

The 2022 AL MVP entered Tuesday leading the majors in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, home runs and RBI since May 1.