Jun 3, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) catches a fly ball by Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter J.D. Martinez (28) in the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: New York Yankees at Los Angeles Dodgers
(New York, NY) — The Los Angeles Dodgers are making changes to the bullpen gate at Dodger Stadium.
This comes after Aaron Judge made a spectacular catch on Saturday night. But, Judge, the reigning AL-MVP was injured after crashing full-speed into, and falling through, a gate that isn’t supposed to open inwards.
Dodgers team president, Stan Kasten, told The Athletic that the gate will be strengthened and a strip of padding will be added to it.
“He didn’t go through the door, which is what I thought happened when I was watching the game,” Kasten said. “I got out there and realized the door doesn’t even open in that direction.”
“He [Judge] actually broke through where some of the panels were joined together, the barrier between the two connecting panels. Which is frankly unbelievable. But we’re going to strengthen that and add a strip of padding on the bottom as well.”
The Yankees’ slugger is now on the ten-day injured list with a stained toe ligament. The team has yet to provide a timetable on the 30-year-old phenom, but reports suggest it will be at least a three week absence.
“Look, I think all these places try to do their best to make things as safe as possible,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “But to me, it seems like the cement at the bottom could be padded up a bit.”
The superstar already spent 10 games on the IL earlier this season with a hip strain, with the Yankees going 4-6 in his absence. Since his return the Yankees have went 17-8.
The reigning AL MVP is in the midst of another great season batting .291 with a 1.078 OPS, 19 home runs, and 40 RBI in 49 games this season.
