UPDATE: Aaron Judge has just made a significant stride in his recovery from a flexor strain, throwing to bases at Yankee Stadium for the first time since his injury over a month ago. However, the timeline for his return to the outfield remains unclear, raising questions as the New York Yankees gear up for critical games.
Judge, the reigning AL MVP, redirected inquiries about his potential return to the club’s trainers, who are not accessible to the media. Yankees manager Aaron Boone stated he is unsure when Judge will be back in right field, emphasizing the team’s cautious approach to avoid further injury. “The bottom line is we want to do this the right way,” Boone said before the Yankees faced the Boston Red Sox in their series finale. “We’ve got to make sure we want to do everything possible to put ourselves in the best position to not reinjure this.”
Since coming off the injured list on August 5, 2023, Judge has served as the Yankees’ designated hitter, forcing the team to play Giancarlo Stanton in right field for the first time in nearly two years. Stanton, who started in right field on August 9, has struggled with leg injuries, raising concerns about his mobility and endurance as he attempts to contribute.
Boone acknowledged the balancing act the Yankees face, wanting both sluggers in the lineup while ensuring Judge’s health. “He’s too important to us moving forward,” Boone added. “We have to play the long game, especially considering how important he is to the lineup.”
Judge’s recovery process is ongoing, as he expressed frustration about not being able to play defense. “I’m a ballplayer,” Judge stated. “I want to play both sides of the ball and go out there, making plays on defense, helping my team out.” He described the soreness after throwing as similar to the discomfort felt when returning from a pulled hamstring, indicating the challenges he faces.
Despite Judge’s batting average sitting at just .218 with three home runs since his activation, he insists the elbow injury has not impacted his hitting. Sunday marked progress for Judge, who threw from about 150 feet—a distance he had recently achieved in his throwing program. While he wasn’t throwing at 100%, he reported feeling good.
Boone reiterated that the priority remains ensuring Judge’s health: “Throwing isn’t the only part of his game that makes him really good out there. We want to make sure he’s in a position to heal and protect from injury.”
As the Yankees continue to navigate the season’s home stretch with playoff implications on the horizon, the urgency surrounding Judge’s status grows. Fans are left eagerly awaiting updates on when their star will return to the outfield, with the hope that he can contribute defensively as well as offensively in the coming games.
The Yankees face a critical moment as they strive to balance their lineup while ensuring the health of their key players. What happens next in Judge’s recovery will be closely monitored, as it could significantly impact the Yankees’ playoff aspirations.
