Aaron Judge starts again in right field

Not good. Judge was lifted for a pinch-hitter during the sixth inning of Wednesday’s series finale at Target Field after going 0-for-2 with a pair of strikeouts. He appeared visibly uncomfortable following an awkward check swing during his final plate appearance. It sounds like his early departure was out of an abundance of caution since the Yankees can’t afford to take any chances with his availability for the postseason. The lone encouraging takeaway is that the issue doesn’t appear to be related to his previous rib issue. He’ll undergo further evaluation, and possibly imaging as well, to determine the severity of the issue. There should be additional clarity on his status leading into Friday’s series opener against the Diamondbacks.

Heliot Ramos gets the nod in right field after Judge crushed his first home run since returning from the injured list, a three-run shot off Twins lefty reliever A.J. Minter, during Monday’s series opener at Target Field. The Yankees have been extremely cautious with his workload following a three-month absence recovering from a fracture in his ribs. The 34-year-old fantasy superstar figures to return for Wednesday’s series finale.

Judge’s home run was his 18th of the season and first extra-base hit in seven games since returning from the injured list without going on a rehab assignment. He hit a three-run shot off Twins reliever A.J. Minter in the eighth inning. While this is just one home run and not a hot streak, it’s only a matter of time before Judge gets going at the plate again.

Judge finds himself in right field for the fifth time in seven games since returning from the injured list last week. The 34-year-old generational talent has predictably gotten off to a slow start at the dish after skipping a rehab assignment altogether following a three-month absence, hitting .176 (3-for-17) with zero extra-base hits and nine strikeouts through five games. It’s only a matter of time before Judge gets back on track. He’ll attempt to do so against Twins righty Dean Kremer at Target Field on Monday night.

Judge receives a break from playing right field after starting three of four games there since coming back from the injured list earlier this week. The Yankees are going to be extremely cautious with his workload down the home stretch since he skipped a minor league rehab assignment entirely. The 34-year-old franchise icon has gone 3-for-10 at the dish, which is pretty impressive considering he missed nearly three months with a rib fracture.

The Yankees will take a cautious approach with the return of their slugger, as he grabs a seat after playing two games against the Rockies on Tuesday and Wednesday. There’s no cause for concern here as the Yankees were always expected to take it easy with Judge’s return.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters that Judge won’t play the full game in his return from a three-month absence after skipping a minor league rehab assignment altogether. It certainly sounds like they’re going to strategically manage his workload following the extended layoff. He’s back in the heart of New York’s order, which is the most important thing for fantasy managers. He did the same thing in 2023 when he missed two months with a toe injury and proceeded to go 5-for-36 in his first nine games back. It may take a little bit for Judge to knock off the rust and get back to his usual self, but the Yankees did give him a soft landing spot against an abysmal Rockies pitching staff.

Start spreading the news. Judge is back. The 34-year-old generational talent returns for Tuesday’s series opener against the Rockies in New York following a three-month absence recovering from a rib fracture. His return should obviously have a massive impact for the Yankees, and fantasy managers as well, over the final three weeks of the regular season.

Judge was also seen running the bases today. He’s unlikely to be activated from his rib fracture this weekend, but a return next week back in New York is possible.

The Yankees kick off their next homestand on September 8. Boone declined to put down a specific return date for Judge, who is ramping up baseball activities after spending the last nearly three months on the injured list with a rib fracture. It sounds like there’s a decent chance that Judge is ready to return at some point around mid-September. Obviously, the Yankee icon’s return would have a significant impact on their ability to contend in a pretty wide open American League heading into the postseason.