Aaron Judge is back! The two-time reigning AL MVP was activated from the injured list Monday night, making his return to the New York Yankees lineup tonight as they host the Colorado Rockies. This is a massive deal, considering he hasn’t suited up since way back on May 31. The Yankees have got just 19 games left in the regular season, and they’re counting on their guy to spark a run to win the AL East and then make some noise in the postseason.
Offense Has Been Ghosted Without Their MVP
Look, the Yankees’ offense without Judge? It’s been rough. They’ve only averaged 4.06 runs per game since he went down, which is the fifth fewest in all of baseball. Think about that for a second! Yet, somehow, they’ve gone 45-39 during his absence. How? Pure pitching magic, that’s how. Their hurlers have been some of the best in the league all year. Manager Aaron Boone didn’t mince words, saying, “We’ve had long stretches where the offense has struggled. I think a big part of that is not having your guy.” He also acknowledged things have “ticked up here in the last couple of weeks,” but you know they’re desperate for that thunder Judge brings. Before hitting the IL, Judge was still crushing it, batting .248/.375/.533 with 17 homers in 59 games. He suffered the injury on a diving catch in late April and played through it for over a month before finally landing on the shelf. The dude’s WAR still sits at 2.2, top-30 among all outfielders, even after missing all that time. That tells you how impactful he is.
Skipping Rehab: A Bold Move Or A Risky Bet?
Here’s the kicker: Judge skipped a minor-league rehab assignment entirely. Yeah, you read that right. He was hitting against high-velocity machines, taking batting practice with the team, and even faced live pitching on Monday. But no actual game action in the minors. When asked about it, Judge said, “I don’t see a point. Why waste at-bats?” He added, “I’m not too worried about the power or bat speed. I feel like even if it’s a tick off, I still think it’s better than nothing.” That’s the confidence of an MVP, but it’s also a big gamble. Boone even hinted that the first few days back in the bigs might be treated like a rehab stint, possibly pulling Judge in later innings or giving him rest days. It’s clear they need him, but at what cost? He was hitting just .171/.271/.293 in his final 11 games before going on the injured list, so the bat wasn’t exactly red-hot then.
Tonight’s game against the Rockies isn’t just a game; it’s a test for Judge and the Yankees. Can he jump right back in and provide the offensive jolt they so desperately need with only 19 games left? Or will the lack of rehab make for a rusty return? All eyes are on him.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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