Judge returns as designated hitter, not to first base with Yankees

Aaron Judge Will Not Play in the Initial Games Upon Return

The New York Yankees rule out the possibility of Aaron Judge playing first base when he returns from the injured list. The two-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) will be designated as a hitter until he is fit to play in the outfield. The plan established by manager Aaron Boone is that Judge, who was placed on the injured list on Sunday due to a strain in his right flexor, will return after the minimum 10-day absence. Judge is expected to resume throwing in 10 to 14 days and prepare to return to the outfield.

Judge, 33, played first base in high school and has practiced at that position during spring training in recent years. Playing first base would be less demanding on his arm, as according to his own statements “he couldn’t throw further than 60 feet.” However, Judge has never played in that position as a professional, and the Yankees will not ask their superstar to make that difficult mid-season transition, although it could be something to be considered in the future. With Judge slated to return as the designated hitter, Boone reported that Giancarlo Stanton will begin training in the outfield this week to be an option at that position. Stanton hasn’t played in the outfield since 2023, when he started 31 games in right field and two in left. Boone explained that Stanton’s role as the Yankees’ designated hitter influenced the decision to place Judge on the injured list to focus on the recovery of his forearm strain, with the hope that he will return to the outfield instead of limiting him to the designated hitter role.

There’s a feeling that if he were just a designated hitter now, he probably wouldn’t be compromising his UCL,” Boone said. “Obviously, throwing would. That said, there’s a grip component and it’s probably affecting him offensively as well.

Aaron Boone

Stanton began the season on the injured list due to pain in the tendons of both elbows, a condition called epicondylitis, and did not debut until June 16. The 35-year-old hitter has said he will have to manage the pain this season after opting not to undergo surgery. However, Boone does not currently see this preventing Stanton from playing in the outfield. Stanton has been one of the Yankees’ best hitters since his return, batting .277, with seven home runs and an OPS of .890 in 28 games. “No, not at this moment,” Boone said about moving Stanton to the outfield. “We’ll see how the situation progresses. He’ll start training out there this week a little bit. Just to be an option if and when Aaron comes back and for how long he has to be the designated hitter until he can go to the outfield. So, if things come up, we’ll adjust. But I don’t anticipate it.” With Judge on the injured list, the Yankees’ primary outfield configuration will have Jasson Domínguez in left field, Trent Grisham in center field, and Cody Bellinger replacing Judge in right field. Boone also mentioned that Amed Rosario, a utility player acquired from the Washington Nationals on Saturday, will play in the outfield corners in addition to third and second base.

Due to Rosario’s good performance against left-handed pitchers this season, batting .299 with an OPS of .816, the Yankees could use him against lefties at third base to give Ryan McMahon, another recent Yankees acquisition, a rest, and in the outfield instead of Dominguez, a switch-hitter with an OPS of .575 in 96 plate appearances batting right-handed against left-handed pitchers.