Aaron Judge is *finally* inching closer to rejoining the New York Yankees, and the biggest, most talked-about news? He’s hitting the road with the team on their upcoming six-game West Coast trip. Manager Aaron Boone spilled the beans, confirming Judge will be right there with the club, ramping up his pregame activities as he keeps rehabbing that brutal rib injury. This isn’t just about showing up; it’s about proving he’s ready to make a late-season impact, and honestly, the stakes could not be higher for the guy and his squad.
The Long Road Back to the Diamond
This isn’t just a casual road trip, folks. Judge has been sidelined since May 31 with a right rib stress fracture, and for a slugger like him, that’s not just a minor ache, it’s a serious setback that messes with every aspect of his swing. Every single step he takes now, every swing, every throw, is absolutely huge. He’s already powered through the initial phase of light baseball activities, which is slow and frustrating, then moved to throwing, and even taking overhand batting practice, which is a massive psychological win. But now, the real intensity kicks in. The Yankees are ready to crank up the pressure. Boone wants him fully deep in the pregame routine and, more importantly, seeing some serious, high-octane heat from pitchers. That’s the true test, the make-or-break checkpoint before he can even think about stepping back into the batter’s box in a real game.
Judge’s “No Rehab” Demand Shakes Things Up
But here’s the absolute kicker, the real wildcard in this whole recovery saga. There’s still no firm return date on the calendar yet, which has to be frustrating for a competitor like Judge. However, Judge himself is pushing for a *direct* path back to the big league club. That’s right; he absolutely doesn’t want any minor league rehab assignment, no sir. He’s pointing to his 2023 comeback from a significant injury as proof he doesn’t need those extra games, that he can just flip the switch and be Aaron Judge again. The Yankees, perhaps desperate for their three-time AL MVP to get back, seem genuinely open to this bold, some might say risky, play. But make no mistake, they’re not just handing him the keys. He’s still got boxes to check, big ones. The biggest, the absolute non-negotiable hurdle for Boone and the Yankees? He’s gotta face live velocity without any issues. Can he handle it without a hitch, or will it be another setback?
West Coast Showdown: What’s Next?
This isn’t just about Judge though, it’s about the team, too, and what this means for their late-season push. The Yankees kick off this pivotal West Coast swing Monday in Anaheim against the Angels, then swing further south to San Diego for a weekend series against the Padres. Every single rep Judge takes, every pitch he sees, it all matters immensely right now. If he clears this live velocity hurdle without any setbacks, get ready. The Bronx could be getting its captain back a lot sooner than anyone expected, potentially giving them a massive boost exactly when they need it most. This trip is where we find out if that dream becomes reality.
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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