The New York Yankees' success for the remainder of the season and into the postseason hinges significantly on the anticipated return of star outfielder Aaron Judge, who has been sidelined since early June with a fractured rib. General Manager Brian Cashman expressed optimism about Judge rejoining the team this season but acknowledged that his return is not guaranteed.
"Is that possible? It's always possible that things don't go the way you want," Cashman said Monday when asked if he was concerned Judge might not heal sufficiently to play again. "But we currently are still very optimistic that he's gonna return."
The team made moves at the trade deadline, acquiring outfielder Heliot Ramos from the Giants and infielder Luis García Jr. from the Nationals to bolster the lineup. These additions aim to mitigate the offensive struggles the Yankees have experienced during Judge's absence. The situation was further complicated by the hamstring injury to Cody Bellinger, which is expected to keep him out until September.
Despite these reinforcements, Cashman indicated that no player acquired at the deadline could fully compensate for the loss of Judge. His presence on the field is considered essential for the Yankees to mount a credible challenge in the postseason.
Cashman noted the challenges involved in preparing Judge to return to play, even once he is medically cleared. "There are challenges with all that, too," he said. "Whenever that time frame is, [there's] ramping him up [and] getting his timing down."
The timeline for Judge's recovery remains uncertain, with the team avoiding specific dates for his return or for when he will undergo further imaging. Until Judge can progress to more baseball activities and receive medical clearance, a degree of uncertainty will persist in the Bronx regarding his availability and readiness for play. Cashman stated that a clearer picture of the remaining recovery period will emerge once Judge begins more on-field activities.