“He’s a Workhorse”: Alex Rodriguez Confident in Yankees’ Ability to Cope With Juan Soto’s Injury Better Than Last Year’s Aaron Judge Stint

The Bronx Bombers were dealt a blow when Juan Soto exited Thursday’s game with forearm tightness. While the MRI revealed inflammation, not a tear, concern lingers for the Yankees slugger. Yet, amidst the uncertainty, a voice of experience offered reassurance: Alex Rodriguez.

A-Rod, no stranger to injuries himself, highlighted the team’s improved resilience since last year’s Aaron Judge debacle. “The one nice thing that the Yankees have… is they have the opportunity to be very conservative,” he noted on “The Michael Kay Show.” Soto, a veritable workhorse having played every game last year and this year, has earned the right to a cautious recovery.

Rodriguez emphasized the importance of patience, stating, “Soto played every game last year—162, he’s played every game this year, so he’s a workhorse, that’s another thing you pay for, is availability… The key is not to rush him, the key is to have him very healthy.” This philosophy aligns with the New York Yankees’ broader strategy. A diversified roster, bolstered by a formidable starting rotation, grants them the flexibility to weather Juan Soto’s absence.

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Yankees and Dodgers fans have been waiting all day to hear the results of Juan Soto’s MRI.

Soto won’t playing in their highly-anticipated series opener today but thankfully is only dealing with inflammation. We hope to see both sides healthy this weekend 🔥

(H/T @JonHeyman) pic.twitter.com/oLpiKXgpYC

— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) June 7, 2024

“I think they’re gonna be fine in the long run,” Rodriguez declared, contrasting this year’s squad with past teams reliant on a lone ranger. The loss of a star player like Aaron Judge with his toe injury last year left a void the Yankees couldn’t fill. But now, with a more well-rounded lineup, they’re better equipped to absorb the blow.

Rodriguez drew a sharp contrast between this year’s Soto and last year’s Judge-centric team. “In many ways in the past, they were just a lone ranger, right? I mean a guy you lose, your best player, and there wasn’t much there to pick up the pieces,” Rodriguez lamented.

Yankees’ depth shines as teammates fill Juan Soto’s shoesThe Yankees’ players such as Trent Grisham have emerged in the absence of Soto to give their offense a lifeline. And this is something that Rodriguez can trust given their next-man-up attitude and a deep bench. To emphasize his point, he said, “I don’t wanna speculate how long this injury’s gonna be, but I think they’re gonna be fine in the long run.”

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While understanding the loss on an emotional level with regard to a player with Juan Soto’s qualities, he advised people to focus on bigger things in life. He remembered that Soto was strong and said, “That’s another thing you pay for, is availability.” The Yankees invested in Soto for his consistent presence in the lineup, and that investment could pay dividends even during this temporary setback.

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Rodriguez sees two major factors leading the Yankees into a potential championship season—A healthy Juan Soto and rejuvenated Cole. “Gerrit Cole coming back down the stretch,” he stressed, “because again, this might be…the last opportunity to have a legitimate shot to run the tables in October.”

What makes Rodriguez optimistic about New York’s future lies in its ability to adapt while facing difficulties. “I think with this team… it has a lot more, it’s a lot more diversified, it has tremendous starting pitching,” he noted, highlighting the team’s strength beyond the batter’s box. This pitching prowess, coupled with a diversified offense, could be the recipe for the New York Yankees’ postseason success.