Aaron Judge is set to return to the New York Yankees lineup on Tuesday night, the team announced Monday. The captain has been on the injured list for over three months with a right rib stress fracture. Judge will rejoin the team as they host the Colorado Rockies in The Bronx.
The Yankees, who are four games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East with 19 games remaining, went 45-39 during Judge's absence despite dealing with other injuries. The team holds a 2 1/2-game lead over the Boston Red Sox for the top AL wild card spot.
Manager Aaron Boone expressed his enthusiasm for Judge's return, calling him the "best player in the world." Boone noted that Judge's presence would provide balance to the lineup, particularly as a right-handed hitter. "I think it would give us a lot of balance, too, to give us that right-handed hitter," Boone said. "On the days we’re facing a righty, where we got all our lefties, to have a right-handed hitter in that two-three hole, I think goes a long way. Not only potentially having his production back in there, but hopefully putting the other guys in a better spot, too."
Judge successfully petitioned to avoid a rehab assignment before being activated. However, the Yankees may ease him back into play over the next few days as he completes his buildup. This could involve a day off after his first game, playing limited innings in the field, or incorporating designated hitter duties. He was expected to face live pitching on Monday at Yankee Stadium for the first time during his recovery, after participating in batting practice on the field and using high-velocity pitching machines indoors during the team's West Coast trip.