Aaron Judge’s long-awaited return is finally starting to look less like a distant dream and more like a September possibility. The New York Yankees captain is traveling with the club on its West Coast trip as he continues building toward a comeback from a serious rib injury.
With the postseason race entering its most important stretch, getting Judge back could give the Yankees a major offensive boost. Manager Aaron Boone has now offered perhaps the clearest indication yet that the slugger could return during the team’s next homestand.
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Aaron Boone Hints at Judge’s September Return
Boone stopped short of putting an exact date on Judge’s comeback, but he believes a return during the upcoming homestand is now realistic.
“I think it’s possible,” Boone said, according to YES Network.
The Yankees are not rushing their superstar. Instead, the focus is on rebuilding Judge’s workload and making sure his body can handle the demands of regular MLB action.
Boone said durability and workload are now the biggest priorities as Judge moves closer to game action.
For Yankees fans, that is encouraging news. After watching their captain spend months on the sidelines, September suddenly has a little more excitement attached to it.
How Did Aaron Judge Suffer His Rib Injury?
Judge originally injured his right rib on April 26 against the Houston Astros. The Yankees star made an awkward landing while attempting a diving catch in the outfield.
He initially tried to play through the injury but eventually landed on the injured list after dealing with the problem for about a month.
An MRI revealed a stress fracture in his first right rib. The location was especially concerning because Judge had suffered a similar injury in 2019 after another diving attempt.
That previous incident was far more serious, as Judge also dealt with a collapsed lung.
Thankfully, there has been no indication of another lung injury this time.
Judge was initially expected to miss roughly four to six weeks. However, follow-up MRI scans showed that the rib was healing more slowly than hoped, delaying his return to baseball activities until August.
Once he finally received clearance, though, his progress picked up quickly.
Judge Is Building Toward Live Pitching
Judge has already worked through tee-and-toss drills and indoor batting practice. The next major test is facing live, high-velocity pitching.
That step is expected to come this week while the Yankees face the Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres.
The Yankees will want to see how Judge responds not only at the plate but also after repeated baseball activities. A comeback is about more than simply taking a few swings — the 162-game grind has a way of exposing every weakness.
Boone said Judge is progressing well and that the team feels good about his current situation.
Judge, meanwhile, is hoping to make his return without spending time in the minor leagues.
Why Judge Wants to Skip a Minor League Rehab Assignment
For most injured players, a minor league rehab assignment can provide valuable game repetitions. Judge believes his experience gives him another option.
Speaking to ESPN, the Yankees captain questioned the value of using his limited time on minor league at-bats when he already understands what he needs to do to prepare for MLB competition.
Judge has been through enough baseball battles to know his own body and routine. His preference is to continue preparing with the Yankees and return directly to the major league lineup.
If that plan remains intact, Judge could potentially return as early as September 8, when New York hosts the Colorado Rockies.
However, the Yankees are expected to be cautious with his workload. Judge could initially see significant time at designated hitter as the club tries to ease him back into action.
What Can Judge Add to the Yankees’ Lineup?
Before his injury, Judge was batting .248 with 17 home runs and 38 RBIs.
Those numbers do not tell the entire story of his value.
Judge remains one of the most dangerous power hitters in baseball, and his presence changes how opposing pitchers approach the entire Yankees lineup. Even when he is not hitting, simply having his name in the batting order can create opportunities for the hitters around him.
With the postseason approaching, the Yankees need that kind of impact.
The Bronx lineup without Judge has been like a blockbuster movie missing its main character — technically still running, but fans are waiting for the big entrance.
George Lombard Jr. Injury Update Gives Yankees Another Boost
Judge is not the only Yankees player providing positive news.
Rookie George Lombard Jr. suffered a scary-looking knee issue during Saturday’s second game of a doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox. New York ultimately won 9-2, but the victory came with a concern surrounding the 21-year-old shortstop.
Lombard felt discomfort in his right knee during a check swing in the second inning. He appeared to favor the leg and briefly hopped out of the batter’s box while holding his knee.
Remarkably, he stayed in long enough to single on the next pitch and returned to shortstop in the following inning.
Lombard later explained that the issue felt like a strange, freak occurrence involving both the check swing and his attempt to avoid a pitch.
After he flew out in the third inning, however, the Yankees removed him from the game and sent him to New York-Presbyterian Hospital for an MRI.
The results brought a sigh of relief.
According to MLB.com reporter Bryan Hoch, imaging showed no structural damage to Lombard’s right knee. He has some inflammation but is currently considered day-to-day rather than a player headed for the injured list.
Lombard Jr. Has Made an Immediate Impact
Since being recalled by the Yankees earlier in August, Lombard has shown why the organization is excited about his future.
Through his first 23 games, he is hitting .253 with two home runs and four extra-base hits across 87 plate appearances.
At just 21 years old, Lombard is still learning the demands of major league baseball. Avoiding a serious knee injury is therefore especially important for both the rookie and the Yankees.
For New York, the latest updates create a much brighter picture heading into September: Judge is moving closer to a comeback, while Lombard appears to have avoided a major setback.
Yankees Hope September Brings a Boost
The Yankees still have plenty to figure out before the postseason arrives, but Aaron Judge’s steady recovery offers a major reason for optimism.
The captain is increasing his baseball workload, preparing to face live pitching and potentially targeting a return during New York’s next homestand. If everything goes according to plan, Judge could be back in the lineup in early September.
At the same time, the positive news surrounding George Lombard Jr.’s knee removes another concern from the Yankees’ injury list.
New York will remain careful with both players, but the message is becoming increasingly clear: Aaron Judge is getting closer, and the Yankees may soon have their captain back for the stretch run.
FAQ:
When could Aaron Judge return to the Yankees?
Aaron Judge could potentially return during the Yankees’ next homestand, with September 8 mentioned as an early possible return date if his recovery and workload progress as planned.
What injury is Aaron Judge recovering from?
Judge is recovering from a stress fracture in his first right rib. The injury occurred after he made an awkward diving attempt in the outfield against the Houston Astros.
Will Aaron Judge need a minor league rehab assignment?
Judge has expressed a preference to skip a minor league rehab assignment. The Yankees will make the final decision based on his readiness and workload.
Will Aaron Judge play designated hitter when he returns?
Judge could see significant time as a designated hitter initially. The Yankees are expected to manage his workload carefully as he gets back into regular MLB action.
How was Aaron Judge performing before his injury?
Judge was batting .248 with 17 home runs and 38 RBIs before his injury forced him onto the injured list.
What did Aaron Boone say about Aaron Judge’s return?
Boone said a return during the next homestand is possible but stressed that the Yankees are focused on building Judge’s durability and workload rather than setting a specific date.
What happened to Yankees rookie George Lombard Jr.?
Lombard Jr. experienced discomfort in his right knee during a game against the Boston Red Sox. An MRI showed no structural damage, and he is currently considered day-to-day.
How has George Lombard Jr. performed for the Yankees?
Through his first 23 games after being recalled, Lombard Jr. was batting .253 with two home runs and four extra-base hits in 87 plate appearances.
Why is Aaron Judge’s return important for the Yankees?
Judge provides elite power and changes how opposing pitchers approach the Yankees lineup. His return could give New York a major offensive boost during the stretch run and postseason race.
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