The New York Yankees may not be without Aaron Judge for long.
The reigning AL MVP is working his way back from a strained flexor muscle and could return after the minimum 10-day injured list stint, according to manager Aaron Boone. Judge is expected to resume swinging off a tee and taking soft toss reps within the next 24 to 48 hours.“I think he’s going to start hitting off the tee and some toss today or tomorrow,” Boone said Tuesday on the Talkin’ Yankees podcast.
Aaron Judge Injury Update: What to Expect
Aaron Boone confirmed that superstar Aaron Judge will not resume throwing for another 10 to 15 days. That timeline virtually ensures that the slugger will serve as a designated hitter when he’s activated, with outfield work postponed until his arm is fully healed.
“There’s the feeling that if he just DH’d now, that he probably would not compromise his UCL,” Boone told ESPN reporters. “Throwing would. That said, there is a gripping component to it… probably somewhat affecting him offensively, too.”
The club ruled out using Judge at first base as a workaround, a strategy that the Philadelphia Phillies once employed with Bryce Harper under similar injury circumstances.
Yankees Betting on His Return
In 103 games before the injury, Judge was producing an MVP-caliber season, slashing .342/.449/.771 with 37 home runs. He led all of MLB in OPS, OPS+, WAR, total bases, and hits.
While Judge has since slipped to second in the AL MVP race behind Cal Raleigh—who has 41 home runs and -125 odds—he still holds the second-best odds at -105, per FanDuel Sportsbook.
Yankees Roster Moves Amid Absence
The Yankees entered Tuesday at 57–49, trailing the red-hot Blue Jays—who are 17–6 this month—in the AL playoff race. In response to Judge’s absence, New York added Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario to help reinforce the lineup.
Whether those moves are enough—or if the Yankees will add more pieces before the Thursday’s trade deadline—remains to be seen. But one thing is clear, the club is hopeful that its captain won’t be sidelined for much longer.