The New York Yankees are set to welcome back their captain, Aaron Judge, on Tuesday after he recovered from a flexor strain that sidelined him for at least 10 days. His absence coincided with the team’s fourth consecutive loss, leaving them just 1.5 games behind the wild card spot. Manager Aaron Boone expressed excitement about Judge’s return, emphasizing the significant impact he has on the lineup and clubhouse.
Judge initially tried to play through the injury but eventually had to be placed on the injured list to allow healing. Tests confirmed no damage to his UCL ligament, and while he won’t be throwing yet, he’s participating in batting practice and is expected to hit soon. For now, Judge will serve as the designated hitter due to the injury limitations.
During Judge’s absence, the Yankees started strong, winning four of six games, but then lost four straight, including a heartbreaking loss to the Texas Rangers and a poor defeat against the Miami Marlins. Adding Judge back into the lineup is beneficial, but the Yankees still face challenges beyond his presence.
The outfield and designated hitter positions present complications. Austin Slater, a recent trade acquisition, was placed on the injured list with a hamstring injury, coinciding with Judge’s return. Giancarlo Stanton, currently the full-time DH and performing well since mid-June, is expected to play some outfield to keep Judge’s bat in the lineup, despite limited mobility and a history of injuries. Stanton is easing back into outfield duties and could appear in games starting Friday.
Stanton, now 35, hasn’t played in the field regularly since 2023 and suffers from limited range and susceptibility to injuries. The Yankees hope to manage his defensive exposure by having him play selectively in right field, especially at the smaller Yankee Stadium, until Judge can fully return to the outfield.
While Judge’s return boosts the offense, the Yankees’ pitching remains a major concern, with a 5.85 ERA since July 1 and poor run prevention ranking near the bottom of the league. Although the offense scores enough runs, the pitching and defense issues are the main reasons for their decline in standings. The current strategy will require the team to outscore opponents frequently, which is a tough approach.
Judge remains a leading MVP candidate despite the injury. He boasts a .342 batting average, 37 home runs, and tops MLB in several offensive categories. Caesars currently list him as the favorite for MVP, and Fangraphs statistics show him leading in WAR (Wins Above Replacement). His brief injury stint might have slightly impacted his MVP case, but his overall performance keeps him firmly in contention.
The season is still unfolding, however, and the performances of Judge and other top players in their respective playoff races will heavily influence MVP voting and the sport’s individual accolades.
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Fan Take: Aaron Judge’s return is huge for the Yankees and baseball fans alike because he’s not just a superstar bat but a symbol of resilience and leadership. His comeback could reignite the Yankees’ season, adding excitement and raising the intensity of the wild card race, which is always thrilling for fans of the sport.
