The New York Yankees are seeing progress with star slugger Aaron Judge, who has been sidelined since May 31 due to a rib injury. Judge has received clearance for light physical activity and is starting running routines. He believes he will return this season but a specific timeline remains unclear. Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed that Judge can also begin upper-body resistance exercises, highlighting that even minor activities represent a positive step in his recovery.

By the Numbers
  • Judge hit 17 home runs in 59 games prior to his injury.
  • Before the injury, the Yankees averaged 5.17 runs per game; since then, that number has dropped to 3.93 runs per game.
State of Play
  • The Yankees are 36-23 with Judge in the lineup and 28-27 since his injury.
  • Judge's batting line before the injury was .248/.375/.533 with 151 OPS+.
What's Next

If Judge continues to progress, a potential return could occur by the end of the season, but no firm date has been established. His recovery will first depend on how well he tolerates running and upper-body exercises before progressing to full baseball activities.

Bottom Line

Judge's gradual return to physical activity represents a hopeful sign for the Yankees, who are in need of offensive reinforcement. The future impact of his recovery could significantly influence the team's playoff aspirations and overall performance.