NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees suffered more than just another loss on Saturday night — they also witnessed a scare involving their star slugger.
During the fifth inning of the Yankees’ 12-6 defeat to the New York Mets at Citi Field on July 5, 2025, Aaron Judge was struck in the face by a toss from shortstop Anthony Volpe as the team was leaving the field. The incident added an unsettling moment to an already tough night for the Bronx Bombers.
Judge returned to the plate in the sixth inning with a small bandage beneath his right eye. Though a faint mark was visible, Judge later assured reporters: “I’m fine.”
The accident occurred after Mets hitter Mark Vientos lined out to second baseman Oswald Peraza, ending the inning. As is tradition, the Yankees casually tossed the ball around while heading back to the dugout. Volpe, in what appeared to be a harmless move, lobbed the ball in Judge’s direction. But Judge, jogging in from right field, was looking away at the time — and the ball struck him on the side of the face, knocking his sunglasses clean off.
“Yeah, I mean… confusion,” said Yankees manager Aaron Boone postgame. “I didn’t know what happened initially. Just saw something, like a sudden moment. Of course, I was concerned. He had a little cut. But in the end, thankfully, nothing serious.”
Still, the freak accident became a moment of concern — and embarrassment — for a team already under pressure. Saturday’s loss marked the Yankees’ sixth consecutive defeat, tying their worst streak of the season. They previously dropped six straight from June 13–18, making this the first time since 2000 the team has endured two separate six-game losing skids in a single year.
“It’s been a terrible week,” Boone added bluntly.
Speaking as the team’s captain, Judge reflected on the team’s recent slump:
“We just have to play better. It comes down to fundamentals — making the routine play routine. It’s the little things. Every good team hits a few bumps in the road.”
Despite the setback — and a literal one at that — Judge remained optimistic.
“We’ll clean some things up. We know what we need to do. We’ll take care of business.”
