Aaron Judge is making some massive strides towards getting back on the field, with the latest word straight from manager Aaron Boone that the slugger is officially slated to face live pitching this Monday at Yankee Stadium. This is massive news for Yankees fans who have been holding their breath since Judge hit the IL way back on June 2 with that fractured rib. It’s been a long haul, folks, and every little step feels like a giant leap when you’re waiting for your star player.
The Long Road Back to the Batter’s Box
Judge has been grinding, man. We all know how tough it is to come back from something like a fractured rib, especially for a power hitter like him. But he’s been putting in the work. Earlier in the week, he was seen taking batting practice swings right there with the team during their West Coast swing. That was a serious signal, a flash of hope that he was getting super close to real action. And now, the big one: facing live pitching. With the team heading back to the Bronx after their Sunday game, Boone confirmed the plan for Monday. We don’t know who’s throwing yet, no specific pitchers have been determined, but that doesn’t even matter. The important thing is that Judge is going to be in there, tracking pitches, timing swings. It’s the next crucial checkbox for Judge as he nears what feels like an eternity-long awaited return. After being out since early June, every single step forward feels like a win, doesn’t it? The anticipation for this moment has been building, and it’s finally here.
“I Don’t Know. We’ll See.” The Reality of Return Dates
So, with Judge facing live pitching on Monday and the Yankees getting an off day right before they kick off a six-game homestand against the Colorado Rockies and Mets on Tuesday night, the million-dollar question immediately jumps out at you: could Judge actually be back for that Tuesday game? Every fan is thinking it. But when he was asked directly if a Tuesday return was unrealistic, Boone kept it real simple and delivered just three words: “I don’t know. We’ll see.” That’s the honest truth, right? No promises, no false hope, just an acknowledgment that it’s still day-by-day. We love the transparency, even if it means we have to wait a little longer for a definitive answer. It’s all about getting him 100% right. Meanwhile, let’s not forget about another Yankees slugger dealing with his own injury saga, Giancarlo Stanton. He’s been hitting, which is a good sign, and Boone hasn’t ruled him out for the rest of the season. Stanton has missed most of the season, initially with a right calf strain, and then suffered a tough setback that led to a left calf strain. It’s been a brutal stretch for him, but at least he’s not totally out of the picture for the season, which is something.
What’s Next for the Bronx Bombers?
The immediate focus, though, is absolutely all on Judge and that live pitching session scheduled for Monday. That’s the next big test, the crucial hurdle everyone’s watching with bated breath. What happens in that session, how he responds, will tell us a whole lot more about the realistic timeline for when we can finally see number 99 back in the lineup, bringing that power and presence back to the Bronx. The Yankees are about to start a big homestand, and having Judge back for any part of it would be a massive boost. It’s a waiting game, for sure, but after all this time, man, it feels like we’re finally on the home stretch. Fingers crossed for a good session and more positive news.
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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