Judge exits with lower leg tightness, severity of injury still unclear

New York Yankees star outfielder Aaron Judge left Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Twins in the sixth inning due to right lower leg tightness.

Heliot Ramos pinch-hit for Judge to start the sixth and struck out.

Judge went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts before leaving and was seen grimacing during his final at-bat.

Judge revealed postgame that he initially felt the tightness in the first inning, though he "can't pinpoint" what triggered it. Manager Aaron Boone said he noticed Judge wasn't moving comfortably on defense in the fifth, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News.

"I tried to kind of play it off and see how long we could go, because these games are important down the stretch," Judge said, per YES Network. "But (after) talking it over, (I) kinda thought it would be the right move to come out so we don't cost the team on the field or cost the team on the basepaths."

It's unclear what type of injury Judge has or how long he might be out. However, he described it as a "lower-body" issue and compared it to minor injuries that are often dealt with when ramping up in spring training. He'll receive treatment and rest during the Yankees' off-day Thursday.

Judge also said he wasn't sure if he'd need any additional testing, as it's still too early.

The three-time MVP appeared in six games since returning from a rib fracture that sidelined him for four months. He's hitting .174/.208/.304 with 13 strikeouts in 23 at-bats since rejoining the Yankees.

New York lost Wednesday's series finale against Minnesota 5-4 in 13 innings.