Aaron Judge took a significant step in his recovery journey by playing catch for the first time since suffering a fractured right rib in late April. As the Yankees continue to struggle offensively, the return of their star player becomes increasingly urgent. Judge has been cleared for light baseball activities and is expected to progress further in his rehab. Yankees manager Aaron Boone remains hopeful about Judge's return timeline, acknowledging he still has a lot of work ahead. Meanwhile, the Yankees have felt the impact of missing both Judge and fellow injured players Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton.

By the Numbers
  • Judge had a .908 OPS with 17 home runs in just 34 games before his injury.
  • The Yankees have recorded a .636 OPS since the All-Star break, ranking as the second-worst in MLB.
Yes, But

While Judge's progress is promising, the Yankees face challenges with multiple key players sidelined, and their offensive struggles persist despite the potential for reinforcements.

State of Play
  • Judge participated in catch play, a crucial milestone in his rehabilitation process.
  • Manager Boone notes that Judge has not yet completed any significant baseball activities for an extended period.
What's Next

As Judge continues his rehab, the Yankees are hopeful he could return in the coming weeks, with further evaluations possibly required toward the end of his recovery process.

Bottom Line

The Yankees' prospective return of Aaron Judge is critical for revitalizing their struggling offense, but the path to recovery is still in its early stages, requiring patience and continued progress.