New York — Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz believes Aaron Judge is carrying a heavier load than any other star in baseball. Speaking on the “Flippin’ Bats” podcast with Ben Verlander, Smoltz compared the New York Yankees’ dependence on Judge to how the Los Angeles Dodgers back Shohei Ohtani.
“Aaron Judge is the most important person in baseball to one team,” Smoltz said. “You can make the argument Shohei Ohtani is definitely that to the Dodgers, but they have a surrounding cast that supports a lot better than maybe the New York Yankees do, and that’s not slighting the players in New York.”
Smoltz credited the Dodgers’ depth as a key difference.
“It’s just the fact that L.A. has put together a pretty impressive roster,” he added. “But staying healthy is the key to everything. And the Yankees for years now have not been able to keep their two big sluggers healthy.”
Dodgers vs. Yankees contrast
The Dodgers’ roster shows the kind of balance Smoltz is talking about. Behind Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith are producing elite on-base numbers and pushing for the National League batting title. Power hitters Teoscar Hernandez, Max Muncy and Andy Pages have combined for 53 home runs, giving Los Angeles protection and consistency throughout the order.
The Yankees, by contrast, have seen their offensive production drop sharply when Judge is either injured or struggling. Cody Bellinger has posted a .272 average, 21 homers and .814 OPS, but it has not been enough to fill the gap left by the absence of Juan Soto, who departed in the offseason.
Giancarlo Stanton has been effective when available, hitting .281 with 11 home runs and an .910 OPS in just 37 games. However, with Judge limited to designated hitter duties because of injury, Stanton’s opportunities have been reduced.
Judge’s injury limits impact
Judge’s most recent setback, a right elbow flexor strain, sidelined him for 10 days and contributed to a five-game Yankees skid. He returned to the lineup as a DH on Aug. 5 but has not yet resumed his regular right field duties.
The slugger said it may take a few weeks to get back to full throwing strength after taking his first session since the injury.
“I think for a little bit and then eventually it will get better and we’ll be good to go and forget about it in a couple weeks,” Judge said. “We’ll see, I’ve never had this. It’d be easier if I had a quad or a hammy or an oblique and I could give you guys a better estimate about what we got.”
Without Judge in the lineup, the Yankees are 197-176 since his 2016 debut. With him, they are 644-458. That history underscores how critical his health is to the team’s postseason chances.
Slump adds to Yankees’ offensive woes
Judge’s return has not yet sparked his usual power surge. He is hitting just .211 with no extra-base hits in six games since coming back from the injury. Including the eight games before his IL stint, he is 8-for-47 with 19 strikeouts over a 14-game stretch.
Hitting coach James Rowson pointed to timing issues as the main factor. “He’s up there getting his timing back, getting his tempo back, and each day, he’s just getting a little bit closer to getting to that spot,” Rowson said.
Manager Aaron Boone remains confident that Judge will rebound. “I never think it’s far off with Aaron,” Boone said. “I think it’s a matter of time before he goes on one of those Aaron runs and can carry the group a little bit.”
Judge has delivered singles in three consecutive games, including a key RBI in Friday’s comeback and an insurance run Monday against the Twins. Still, his 37 home runs and 87 RBIs this season remain frozen until he rediscovers his power stroke.
Yankees face pivotal stretch in playoff chase
The Yankees enter Tuesday holding the third American League Wild Card spot with a 61-54 record. Their margin for error is slim, with several teams in pursuit. The offense has powered just three wins in its last 10 games, adding urgency for Judge to regain his rhythm and for others in the lineup to step up.
The team’s struggles have a familiar feel. Since 2022, the Yankees have tended to hit rough patches in midsummer, often tied to injuries and overreliance on home run production. Without consistent contributions from the rest of the lineup, the offense becomes vulnerable when its centerpiece is off his game.
Judge has begun a throwing program but will not return to the outfield during the current series. His health, combined with the Yankees’ ability to manufacture offense without depending solely on him, will likely decide whether they can secure a playoff berth.
Smoltz’s comments reflect what many around the league see: the Yankees’ postseason push may hinge on building a deeper, more balanced lineup. Until then, every at-bat from Judge will carry the weight of the franchise’s October hopes.
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