New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge has been officially activated from the injured list and is expected to return to play on Tuesday when the team hosts the Colorado Rockies. The move comes after a three-month absence for the star outfielder, who was sidelined in late May with a rib injury that proved more persistent than initially anticipated.
Judge took a significant step toward his return on Monday, participating in live batting practice at Yankee Stadium. This demonstration of readiness convinced team officials and manager Aaron Boone that he was prepared for game action. Over the past week, Judge had gradually increased his baseball activities, which included running the bases, participating in outfield drills, and taking practice swings.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Judge expressed his frustration with the prolonged recovery period. "I'm mad how long it has taken," he admitted. "It is what it is. I wish it was real two months ago, but we're at this point now. We're getting close. I can't wait to be back out there."
Despite the absence of their captain and a key offensive player, the Yankees have maintained a strong position in the standings. The team currently holds second place in the AL East with an 81-62 record and has an 8.5-game lead in the American League wild-card race. Before his injury, Judge was performing well offensively, posting a .248 batting average with 17 home runs, 38 RBIs, 43 runs scored, and a .907 OPS in 59 games. His return is expected to provide a significant boost to the Yankees' lineup as they aim to secure their postseason seeding.