Aaron Judge says abdominal MRI was clean, eyes Yankees' opener

Add Aaron Judge to the New York Yankees' list of stars suddenly dealing with injuries.

Judge told reporters Tuesday morning that he underwent an MRI on his abdominal area and said the test did not show any structural damage. The five-time All-Star outfielder said he won't swing a bat until at least later in the week but added that he hopes to be ready for Opening Day.

The revelation comes a day after Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced that staff ace Gerrit Cole was scheduled to undergo an MRI on his pitching elbow.

Judge, the Yankees' captain, told reporters he is "hoping for the best news" on Cole and that the the team is "praying for the best."

The Yankees open their season on March 28 in Houston against theAstros.

Judge has played in six Grapefruit League games this spring. The 2022 American League MVP went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts in his most recent appearance Sunday. He didn't play in either of the Yankees' split-squad games Monday.

Judge, 31, missed nearly two months last season after suffering a toe injury running into the wall at Dodger Stadium. He returned to hit 18 home runs with a .966 OPS over 57 games, but said earlier in spring training that the toe will require "constant maintenance."