Yankees Activate Aaron Judge After Three-Month Absence

The New York Yankees have reactivated team captain Aaron Judge from the injured list following a three-month absence caused by a fractured rib. The 34-year-old outfielder is scheduled to return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies at Yankee Stadium.

Judge has been sidelined since May 31 after sustaining a stress fracture in his first right rib while making a diving catch in late April. He initially attempted to play through the injury before being shut down by the team.

Impact on the Lineup

During Judge’s absence, New York compiled a 45-39 record. While the team retained the top wild-card spot in the American League, its run production fell sharply. Since Judge was placed on the injured list, the Yankees rank 26th in Major League Baseball in total runs scored.

Despite individual production from Ben Rice, midseason acquisition Luis Garcia Jr., and rookie Spencer Jones, the majority of New York’s batters have performed below league averages. The team’s record has been maintained primarily by its pitching staff, including a starting rotation led by Cam Schlittler, Max Fried, Gerrit Cole, and Carlos Rodon, alongside a bullpen with a league-best 3.05 ERA.

New York currently trails the Tampa Bay Rays by four games in the American League East division as it begins a home series against Colorado and the New York Mets.

Bypassing a Rehab Assignment

Judge was cleared to return following a live batting-practice session at Yankee Stadium on Monday. Although Judge had stated he hoped to face live pitching on multiple occasions before returning, team officials determined his progress was sufficient to bypass a minor-league rehabilitation assignment.

Judge was cleared for baseball activities in mid-August following a gradual recovery process structured around the team’s playoff positioning. In his first game back, Judge is set to face Colorado right-handed starter Gabriel Hughes.

Prior to his injury, Judge appeared in 59 games this season, batting .248 with 17 home runs and 38 RBIs. Judge has won the American League Most Valuable Player award three times in the past four years and set the American League single-season record with 62 home runs in 2022.

Background

Major League Baseball teams are entering the final month of the regular season to determine playoff qualification and seeding. The Yankees are attempting to catch the Tampa Bay Rays for the American League East division title while maintaining their position in the wild-card standings.