Analyst’s Juan Soto Rant Takes Aim at Aaron Judge’s Fate

Jason La Confora faced heavy criticism on social media Tuesday night after implying that Aaron Judge’s injury from being hit by a pitch might be deserved “karma.” Judge had to exit the Orioles-Yankees game in the fourth inning after getting hit on the hand during his earlier at-bat in the third inning. Initially, Judge remained in the game but was eventually replaced by Trent Grisham.

La Confora suggested that Juan Soto, another outfielder, might be to blame for Judge’s injury due to a baserunning mistake in the first inning. La Confora tweeted, “If Aaron Judge is hurt, he should have a long talk about his jacka– RF about how he runs the bases. Getting pinch hit for now. Oh well. You know what they say about karma.”

Earlier in the game, Baltimore’s third baseman Jordan Westburg also exited with a left hip injury following a collision with Soto, prompting La Confora’s criticism of the Yankees’ outfielder. “Juan Soto manages to make contact with a lot of fielders. He’s pretty horses–t that way. Maybe someone needs to throw 99 right in his ribs, soon,” La Confora wrote. “If Soto gets through this series without some significant bruising the Orioles are doing it wrong. His bulls–t, bushleague act on the basepaths is getting people hurt. Time for him to feel some pain too.”

As backlash grew on social media over his characterization of Judge’s injury as “karma,” La Confora defended his stance, insisting that Soto’s actions on the field warranted repercussions. He tweeted, “Watch the game big guy. Soto ain’t fooling anybody. Maybe Suarez was sending a message that absolutely should be sent and maybe he wasn’t … But that’s karma. Your RF is a jacka– that keeps going out of his way to run into people. Bulls–t bush league baseball.”