As the New York Yankees approach the final stretch of their regular season with just 21 games remaining, the team is eagerly anticipating the return of star outfielder Aaron Judge. Judge recently participated in on-field batting practice for the first time since May 31, marking a crucial milestone in his recovery from a stress fracture in his right rib that had sidelined him since early June.
Prior to this on-field session, Judge had been cleared to resume baseball activities and had been hitting off high-velocity pitching machines indoors. He emphasized to reporters that his current focus is on completing all necessary recovery steps. "Checking all the boxes. That’s all it is at this point," Judge stated, indicating his commitment to a thorough rehabilitation process.
In addition to batting practice, Judge has also been running the bases and working out in the outfield at Petco Park, ahead of the Yankees' matchup against the San Diego Padres. Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed optimism about Judge's progress, suggesting that the slugger could engage in full baseball activities in the coming week.
Judge elaborated on his current training regimen, saying, "We’re hitting all the baseball stuff. Throwing to bases, throwing, running the bases. Hitting, getting on the field, moving around. I think [we need to] face some live pitching and then I’ll get back out there." This statement highlights Judge's readiness to return to competitive play, although he acknowledges the need to face live pitching before rejoining the lineup.
Boone mentioned the possibility of activating Judge during the Yankees' upcoming six-game homestand starting September 8. This homestand includes a notable matchup against the New York Mets, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. However, Boone stressed the importance of Judge facing live pitching first, which has led to some differing opinions between the player and management.
While the Yankees may prefer that Judge participates in a minor-league rehab assignment to face live pitching, Judge is inclined to return directly to the major league lineup. He expressed his skepticism about the need for a minor league stint, stating, "I don’t see a point. Why waste at-bats? They haven’t told me they wanted me to do one, so we’ll see." This determination reflects Judge's desire to contribute to his team as soon as possible.
Before his injury, Judge was having a solid season, posting a slash line of .248/.375/.533, with 17 home runs and 38 RBIs over 59 games. His absence has undoubtedly impacted the Yankees' offensive performance; prior to his injury, the team scored 305 runs, ranking fourth in Major League Baseball. However, since his departure from the lineup, the Yankees have managed only 332 runs, placing them 18th overall in the league. Their current .234 team batting average is among the lowest in the American League, and their .720 OPS ranks 15th in MLB, underscoring the need for Judge's return.
Leave a Comment