Yankees' Aaron Judge responds to arm strength concerns after return to outfield
After over a month, the New York Yankees finally saw their superstar slugger, Aaron Judge, return to the outfield. He had been dealing with an elbow issue for some time and had only been slotted into the lineup as the designated hitter since late July.
But against the Toronto Blue Jays, Judge returned to the outfield for the first time since getting injured in late July. It was a huge step in the right direction and was a boost of confidence heading into a huge series against the Blue Jays.
But after not making a throw home like he normally would, there were concerns over Judge's throwing ability. After the game, Gary Phillips of the NY Daily News shared comments from Judge on the first throw he made in right field.
Judge Responds to Questions About Arm Strength
When asked about what happened on the two-run single in the first inning, when Judge didn't make a throw home to try and throw out Dalton Varsho despite having the chance to do so, Judge spoke on his side of the story.
"Just dropped the ball in," Jude said. "Throw it into the cutoff man. It's a two-run single. What do you mean?"
Judge was then asked if he could make the throw, and he said, "I wouldn't be in the outfield if I wasn't able to make that throw."
But, he didn't make it despite having the chance to do so. When pressed on why he didn't make that throw, despite claiming he could, Judge's comments are revealing and concerning.
"My first thought was to get it into Jazz, get it into whoever, just for them to make that throw," Judge said. "Because my first thought was trying to make the play, and it just kind of died before it got to me. So my next thought is, 'Hey, try to get it in as soon as you can and see what happens.'"
This comment from Judge reveals his thought process in the outfield, as he's immediately looking for the cutoff man instead of gearing up to fire it home. If he were fully healthy, it wouldn't be a question of where he's going with the ball.
But since his first thought is to find the cutoff man, it's clear his arm strength isn't back yet. With Judge playing right field, not at full strength, there is real concern he won't be able to make the throws needed to succeed in the field until he's back closer to 100 percent strength.
It's something to monitor as he continues to get starts in right field, as his arm strength will likely be tested by opposing teams whenever they get the chance. The Blue Jays already exposed his lack of arm strength, and Judge's comments don't instill confidence either.
Lions Officially Announce Massive Jameson Williams Contract Extension
On Sunday morning, the day of their season-opening matchup against their division-rival Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Lions officially announced their massive contract extension for WR Jameson Williams. The speedster wide receiver and former first-round pick was a big part of Detroit’s offense last season, and now he’s locked up for the foreseeable future.
According to NFL inside Jordan Schultz on Saturday, the Lions signed Williams to a three-year deal worth up to $83 million on the eve of the season. The extension officially keeps Williams under contract through 2029, as he was still on the fourth year of his rookie contract this season and could have played on the fifth-year option in 2026.
Schultz adds that the deal carries $67 million in guarantees, a hefty number. The $27.6 million in average annual value ranks 13th in the league among wide receivers, just above the Bears’ D.J. Moore and just under the Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle.
“The Lions have signed WR Jameson Williams to a contract extension,” the team’s press release reads. “Among all NFL players in 2024, he tied for 1st in 50+ yard catches (five) & was 2nd in receiving average (17.3). Among all NFL WRs with 50+ catches last year, he ranked 1st in YAC/reception (8.6).”
Jameson Williams Had a Breakout Season in 2024
Mike Mulholland/GettyDETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 05: Jameson Williams #9 of the Detroit Lions reacts after a first down during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on January 05, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
It wasn’t a banner start to his career for Williams. The former star at Alabama in college was the No. 12 overall pick in 2022. The Lions paid a steep price to get him, trading a first-rounder (No. 32), a second-rounder (No. 34), and a third-rounder for the No. 2 pick and a lower second-rounder (No. 46). Detroit had already used a first-round pick that year on OT Penei Sewell (No. 7).
Williams was recovering from an ACL tear as a rookie and only played in six games, logging a single reception. But that one catch went for 41 yards and a touchdown, flashing his high-level potential as a game-breaking speed threat.
With just 24 catches for 354 yards and two touchdowns in 2023, many were wondering if the Lions had made a mistake drafting Williams so high. But he put those concerns to rest in a breakout 2024 campaign, when he had 58 catches for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns, adding an important field-stretching ability to the Lions offense.
The Detroit Lions Offense Will Have Some New Pieces This Season
The high-flying Lions offense will have some new elements this season. Star offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is now the head coach of the Chicago Bears, taking his ingenuity and creativity with him. Internal promotion John Morton has big shoes to fill, but the team has every confidence in him.
Along the offensive line, C Frank Ragnow retired and G Kevin Zeitler signed with the Titans in free agency. Graham Glasgow slides over to center to replace Ragnow, while rookie second-rounder Tate Ratledge steps in at RG for Zeitler.
Despite the new faces, this Lions offense should remain one of the NFL’s best — even if it looks a little different.
