After missing more than three months with a fractured rib, Aaron Judge was reinstated from the 60-day injured list by the New York Yankees on Monday night. The three-time AL MVP returns ahead of Tuesday’s series opener against the Colorado Rockies at Yankee Stadium without requiring a minor league rehab assignment.
The New York Yankees officially welcomed back their offensive anchor on Monday evening, reinstating Aaron Judge from the 60-day injured list after an 83-game absence brought on by a fractured rib. Judge sustained the stress fracture in his right first rib during a defensive play in late April against Houston, attempting to make a diving catch in right field. He initially tried to play through the discomfort, a stretch that saw his performance dip before he was finally shut down and placed on the injured list on June 5.
Roster Moves and Immediate Integration at Yankee Stadium
To clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Judge, the Yankees optioned right-hander Elmer Rodriguez to Triple-A and designated right-hander Chase Hampton for assignment, according to the team’s transactions. Judge skipped a traditional minor league rehab stint entirely, instead completing a progression that included live batting practice at Yankee Stadium on Monday afternoon, where he faced both right-handed and left-handed pitching.
Manager Aaron Boone indicated that the slugger will return directly to his post as the starting right fielder rather than serving exclusively as a designated hitter. However, because Judge missed over three months of game action, the team plans to ease him back into a full workload. Boone noted that potential scenarios include starting Judge for five, six, or seven innings before removing him, or giving him occasional scheduled days off to build his stamina back up safely.
“Maybe it’s playing a game, having an off day. Maybe it is playing 5, 6, 7 innings in a game and get him out. Those things are on the table.”
Aaron Boone, Yankees Manager, via Mlbtraderumors
Offensive Struggles and the Push for October
Judge returns with 17 home runs, 38 RBIs, and a .907 OPS compiled across 59 games before his injury. His prolonged absence placed a heavy burden on a Yankees offense that experienced significant consistency issues during the summer months. While New York maintained a 45-39 record during his time away, the team’s offensive output dropped sharply.
Before Judge went down on May 31, the Yankees averaged 5.2 runs per game. During the 83 games he missed, that dropped to 4.1 runs per game. The team’s collective batting average fell from .243 to .227, ranking 29th out of 30 major league teams over that stretch.
The Standings and Upcoming Matchups in the Bronx
With 19 games remaining in the regular season, the Yankees hold an 81-62 record. They sit four games behind the first-place Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East, with four head-to-head games remaining against Tampa Bay. At the same time, New York holds a two-game advantage over the Boston Red Sox for the top American League wild-card position, which comes with home-field advantage in the opening round.
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