NEW YORK – The New York Yankees have officially reinstated superstar Aaron Judge from the 60-day injured list, a much-anticipated move that comes as the team prepares to face the Colorado Rockies in a three-game series starting Tuesday night.
Judge, a three-time Most Valuable Player (MVP), has been sidelined since May 31 due to a broken right rib. His absence has been felt significantly on the field, as the Yankees struggled offensively during his time away.
In recent days, Judge has been actively participating in team activities, traveling with the Yankees on their West Coast trip. He took batting practice multiple times in San Diego and even ran the bases, demonstrating his readiness to return to action. Judge expressed confidence in his ability to contribute without needing a minor league rehab assignment, stating, “If I tell them I’m ready to go play, I think we’re ready to go play.”
With only 19 games left in the regular season, the Yankees currently sit at 81-62, four games behind the first-place Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East. They are also two games ahead of the Boston Red Sox for the top Wild Card spot, giving them a potential tiebreaker advantage after winning the season series against Boston.
Since Judge’s injury, the Yankees have seen a noticeable decline in their offensive production. Before his injury, the team batted .243 with 86 home runs in 59 games. In contrast, during the 84 games Judge missed, they managed only a .227 batting average and hit 107 home runs, ranking 29th among all major league teams in batting average.
Judge’s individual stats reflect his importance to the team. Before his injury, he was hitting .263 with seven home runs and 20 RBIs in just 31 games. The captain’s last significant contribution before going on the injured list was a two-run homer that clinched a 2-0 victory against Tampa Bay on May 24, ending an 11-game streak without an RBI—a career-long drought for the slugger.
In the previous season, Judge achieved remarkable success, winning the batting title with a career-high .331 average, alongside 53 home runs and 114 RBIs across 152 games. His path to recovery has not been without challenges; he previously missed ten games due to a flexor strain in his right elbow earlier this season.
In a roster move to accommodate Judge’s return, right-hander Chase Hampton has been designated for assignment, and right-hander Elmer Rodríguez was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre following the Yankees’ recent loss in San Diego.
As the Yankees gear up for the final stretch of the season, the return of Aaron Judge brings renewed hope and excitement to the team and its fans. His impact on the field will undoubtedly be crucial as they aim for a successful postseason run.
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AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.
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