Aaron Judge could return to the New York Yankees’ lineup as early as September 8 when the club opens a home series against the Colorado Rockies, according to manager Aaron Boone. The superstar outfielder traveled with the team for its West Coast road trip, marking a crucial step forward in his recovery from a stress fracture in his right rib that has sidelined him since late May.
Manager Aaron Boone Outlines Return Timeline
Speaking before the New York Yankees opened a series with a 10-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels, manager Aaron Boone told reporters that his captain is progressing well through his rehabilitation program. While stopping short of locking in an absolute calendar date, the skipper acknowledged that a mid-September activation is firmly on the table.
“I think it’s possible,” Boone said, according to team reports. “I’m not going to put a date on it. But I think those things are in play now. Again, it’s about getting the durability, and the workload built up on him, which is the biggest thing now.”
Rehabilitation Progress and On-Field Drills
The two-time American League MVP has spent the past week taking swings indoors, steadily ramping up his baseball activities. On Monday at Angel Stadium, Judge took a significant step by stepping into right field during batting practice to participate in defensive drills.
Although he has not yet faced live high-velocity pitching from traditional batting practice arms, the veteran slugger is utilizing advanced technology to bridge the gap. According to club reports, Judge expects to bypass a formal minor league rehabilitation assignment entirely, choosing instead to simulate live major league pitching using the Trajekt machine—a specialized device designed to replicate opposing pitchers’ repertoires.
Stakes for the New York Yankees’ Playoff Push
Judge has been out of action since May 31 after playing through discomfort for more than a month. Placed on the 60-day injured list, the 34-year-old outfielder told reporters last week that he understood the necessity of exercising caution while increasing his physical workload.
His potential reinstatement for the homestand beginning September 8 against the Colorado Rockies provides a massive psychological and statistical boost for a Yankees roster fighting to solidify its standing in the American League postseason race. Boone emphasized that the final hurdle centers purely on building sufficient tissue durability and stamina to handle the daily demands of major league competition.
Next Steps and Schedule
The Yankees continue their West Coast swing through the week before returning to New York. The club’s medical and coaching staffs will monitor Judge’s workload daily during batting practice and defensive workouts ahead of the scheduled September 8 series opener.
