After 99 brutal days, baseball’s No. 99, three-time American League Most Valuable Player Aaron Judge, is officially back in action for the Yankees. He just got activated from the 60-day disabled list, and his return brings one of MLB’s biggest fan attractions right back into the spotlight.
The $87 Ticket That’s Breaking the Bank
This isn’t just any return, man. Judge has been out since early June with a fractured rib, last playing on May 31 before hitting the injured list five days later. He’s jumping straight back into major league play, no minor-league rehab needed. Anticipation is through the roof for his return, the longest injury of his storied career. Ticket prices for his first game back tonight against the Rockies are already skyrocketing on the resale market. We’re talking an average get-in price of $87 as of Tuesday morning, which is more than double Saturday’s comparable level! Seriously, for a midweek game against a “lowly” Colorado team? That’s just wild. And get this: the same game briefly saw prices go over $250 back in August because of a Naruto manga trading card giveaway. What a rollercoaster of demand!
Yankees Are Eyeing October With Judge Back
The Yankees actually held their own pretty well without Judge, posting a 45-39 record and locking down the top wild card spot in the AL. Now? With Judge back and their often-injured pitching staff healthy, New York is full-throttle aiming for October. They want to snap that 17-year championship drought! The AL East title and a first-round bye are totally within reach too. They’re only four games behind the Rays, and they’ve got four crucial games against them later this month at Yankee Stadium. This Judge return is also massive for the YES Network, with them pushing promos since Monday and planning huge pre- and postgame coverage. Everyone knows what’s at stake.
Ohtani’s Season Takes a Different Turn
But while Judge is making his big comeback, another MLB superstar, Shohei Ohtani, is on a completely different path. Ohtani, perhaps the only guy close to Judge in fame and stature, said he “most likely” won’t pitch for the rest of the year. He’s battled nagging injuries all season, hasn’t pitched since early July, and still has soreness in his left knee and right biceps. Those issues contributed to a recent slump at the plate and a four-day absence last weekend. His August numbers? Just .241 batting average and a .472 slugging percentage, way below his usual levels. Even with the Dodgers still the betting favorite for a third straight World Series, manager Dave Roberts put it plain: “Yes, he loves pitching, loves being a two-way player. But right now, it just doesn’t make any sense.” It’s a tough break for a guy who loves to do it all.
So, Tuesday night, Judge takes the field against the Rockies, ready to spark that October push. The Yankees are loaded and going for it. Meanwhile, Ohtani and the Dodgers will have to figure out how to navigate October without their ace on the mound. Big stakes for both these squads as we head into the final stretch!
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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