Aaron Judge is finally taking some real steps toward getting back on the field for the New York Yankees, even if the club still won’t give anyone a concrete timeline for his return. The superstar outfielder was seen playing catch and running in New York on Friday, moving his recovery from a broken right rib into a new stage.
Rib Injury Ramps Up, Still No Schedule
Yankees manager Aaron Boone called Judge’s latest workout “part of the ramp-up to baseball activity.” Judge has been sidelined since May 31 with that broken rib, but he finally got cleared to start light workouts back on August 5. Boone apparently chatted with Judge after Friday’s session and got some good vibes, especially since it was the first time Judge had thrown a ball during his rehab. That’s a big step! The manager is hopeful, saying, “Hopefully he’ll continue to progress through this week. We’ll see what else gets introduced.” Judge himself has been consistent: he intends to play again this season. That’s gotta be a huge shot of optimism for the Yankees faithful, who want their biggest bat back for the homestretch.
The Numbers Before the Sideline
Before landing on the injured list, Judge was putting up solid numbers: a .248 batting average, 17 home runs, 38 RBIs, and a .907 OPS. Those are the stats that remind everyone why he’s a three-time American League MVP and an eight-time All-Star. It wasn’t all sunshine before the injury, though. Judge’s production had actually dipped a bit, with him hitting only one home run in his final 18 games before he got hurt. Even with that small slump, his presence is a game-changer for that lineup. A healthy Judge gives New York an enormous boost, no doubt about it.
For now, the Yankees are just focused on increasing Judge’s workload and watching how that rib holds up. Friday’s throwing and running session is certainly an encouraging checkpoint, but don’t hold your breath for an imminent return. As Boone put it, “We expect him back, but we’re in the early stages of baseball activity. Hopefully things continue to go well.” All eyes will be on how he responds as they push him further.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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