Yankees receive Aaron Judge injury update after Friday night’s loss to Blue Jays

The New York Yankees suffered a loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night, yet there was a positive update regarding their injured star player, Aaron Judge. According to manager Aaron Boone, Judge participated in catch drills for the first time since starting his throwing progression. This marks a crucial step in Judge's recovery from his rib injury.

Judge's rehabilitation has progressed slowly, and he has yet to advance to full baseball activities. Nonetheless, playing catch is a significant milestone in his healing process. Judge has been sidelined since May 31 and was placed on the 60-day injured list in June. He has since been cleared to resume light activities, such as outdoor running and upper-body resistance work.

Despite his absence, Judge maintains his confidence in returning this season, reassuring fans that he never considered the possibility of not playing again in 2026. The Yankees are in dire need of Judge's return, as their offense has suffered significantly since his injury. The team is also awaiting the return of Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton from their respective injuries.

Bellinger is closer to recovering and may begin a rehab assignment soon. Judge's return would provide the most substantial boost to the team. While there is no definitive timeline for his return, Friday's throwing session demonstrates Judge's progress. For a team aiming to position itself for October, every step forward counts, and Judge has taken another one.