Why David Cone is worried about Yankees' Aaron Judge after latest setback

Pockets of New York Yankees fans were left fearing the worst after they learned that slugger and captain Aaron Judge exited what became a 5-4 extra-innings loss to the Minnesota Twins in the sixth inning with what was eventually referred to as tightness in his lower right leg.

It remains unclear if Judge will be good to go for the start of the Yankees' three-game series at the Arizona Diamondbacks (80-73) on Friday night. During a Thursday appearance on the "BT Unleashed" program hosted by Brandon Tierney, former MLB pitcher and current YES Network analyst David Cone shared why he's worried about Judge for reasons not directly related to this particular issue.

David Cone "concerned" about Aaron Judge being ready for October

"I’m concerned," Cone said about Judge, per Ben Stinar of Heavy. "He needs the at-bats… Lower-leg issue, calf. We just don’t know. We don’t know till we know in terms of how severe it is. Is he going to get any more at-bats before the end of the regular season? It’s a real question mark right now." 

Of course, Cone was referencing how Judge was out of the lineup from June 1 through the evening of Sept. 7 due to a stress fracture of the first rib on his right side. Judge did not complete a stint in the minors as part of his rehab process, and he has thus far had 23 total at-bats with a single home run, three RBI and one walk since returning to the Yankees. 

Meanwhile, the 88-64 Yankees began Thursday trailing the first-place Tampa Bay Rays (92-59) by 4.5 games in the American League East standings. The Bronx Bombers seem to be in no real danger of losing the AL's top wild-card playoff spot. 

What Aaron Judge said about his situation

"Tried to play off and see how long I can go because these games are important down the stretch," Judge said after Wednesday's loss about leaving the game early, per John Flanigan of SNY. "Talked it over and thought it would be the right move so we don’t cost the team on the field or in the basepaths." 

It seems unlikely that outsiders will learn about Judge's status for Friday night until some point that afternoon.