Yankees facing predicament that could delay Aaron Judge’s return

The New York Yankees find themselves in a tricky situation as they await the return of their star player, Aaron Judge. The 34-year-old outfielder has been sidelined since June 5 due to a fractured rib, but the team has managed to maintain a solid .500 record, currently holding second place in the American League East. With just 20 games remaining in the regular season and four of those against their divisional rivals, the Yankees are looking to make a strong push for a postseason spot.

Judge's return is expected to coincide with the upcoming homestand, which takes place from September 8-13. The Yankees have home games against the Colorado Rockies and New York Mets during this period, and it's unlikely that Judge will require a rehab assignment. However, manager Aaron Boone's recent comments have raised concerns, as he stated that Judge does not have a scheduled pitcher to throw to before his return.

This creates a predicament for the Yankees, as it would be a shock if they were to announce that Judge needs a rehab assignment. Consequently, he will need to face live MLB pitching before making his comeback. The timing of this decision remains uncertain, as it will be determined after the Yankees' game against the San Diego Padres on Sunday, which serves as their season finale rubber match at 4:10 p.m. ET.

Even if Judge can face a pitcher on Monday, his activation for a game on Tuesday would be highly unlikely. This would be his first time seeing live pitching since his last appearance on May 31. However, it appears that Judge is physically ready for a return, as reflected in his recent performance. Over 59 games this season, the three-time MVP is batting .248 with a .375 on-base percentage and a .533 slugging percentage, including 17 home runs and 38 RBIs.

Given the critical nature of the September division race, Judge's return would be of immense importance to the Yankees. In last year's race, the team's offense struggled, and having Judge in the lineup could provide a much-needed boost. With their top starting pitchers being Cam Schlittler, Max Fried, and Gerrit Cole, the Yankees' offense will likely be the key to their postseason success, and Aaron Judge is a crucial component in this equation.