Aaron Judge Could Return to the Diamond with the Yankees on Tuesday
Aaron Judge’s return to the New York Yankees lineup could be imminent. The team captain, who has been out of action due to a strain in his right elbow flexor, could be available as early as Tuesday. Judge, who is on the 10-day injured list, completed a batting session against minor league pitchers from the Yankees in Tampa for the second consecutive day on Monday. Subsequently, he was expected to join the team in Texas.The two-time American League Most Valuable Player hasn’t played since July 25 due to the elbow injury. An MRI revealed no acute damage to his ulnar collateral ligament and he received a platelet-rich injection on July 27. Before Monday’s games, his batting average of .342 was still the best in the majors. He was also in the top 5 in home runs (37) and RBIs (85). If Judge returns in Texas, Boone indicated that he would be the designated hitter. In addition, he could make pitches, which would help determine when he could return to the outfield.I don’t want to say definitively because I haven’t seen it yet, but I think that’s the plan. I think he’s expected to arrive tonight and we’ll make that decision.
Aaron Boone, Yankees Manager
Giancarlo Stanton has been the Yankees’ starting designated hitter in all 32 games this season. Boone also confirmed that Stanton would not play in the outfield in Texas if Judge is the designated hitter during the series. Judge felt pain in his elbow for the first time on July 22 in Toronto, after a strong throw to home. Subsequently, he was seen with gestures of pain after a catch in right field. The Yankees arrived in Texas after being swept in a three-game series in Miami. The team is in third place in the American League East Division. Boone expressed that Judge’s return will be positive for the team. Yes, it’s Aaron Judge. We know what he means for our lineup and for the guys in the clubhouse. So we’re certainly excited to have him back and, hopefully, soon after he’ll be back on the field too.I hope Judgie is doing well and pitches on Tuesday or the next day, and we’ll start to get a sense of the schedule for that and then we’ll see what happens when we get back home.
Aaron Boone, Yankees Manager
