New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is nearing a return to the lineup, with an expected session facing live pitching for the first time since suffering a right rib stress fracture.
Manager Aaron Boone indicated Sunday that Judge could be back in the lineup as early as Tuesday for a home game against the Colorado Rockies. Judge has been sidelined since early June. Both the player and the team have indicated that he will bypass a rehabilitation assignment despite the significant time off.
If Judge returns during the current homestand, either against the Rockies or during the upcoming Subway Series with the Mets, he will have approximately two weeks to prepare for the playoffs. His potential return addresses one of the significant uncertainties facing the Yankees, who have already secured a postseason berth.
The team faces other questions as the regular season winds down and the playoffs approach. The Yankees have clinched a postseason spot, but still need to solidify their status and address other roster considerations before the intense playoff environment begins.