Aaron Boone shares troubling plans for Aaron Judge’s return

New York Yankees fans anticipating Aaron Judge's immediate return to his regular role may face disappointment, as Yankees manager Aaron Boone has indicated that the star player could require a gradual reintegration into action. Judge has been absent for three months due to a right rib stress fracture and has not played since May 31.

The Yankees captain's potential return is one of the most significant storylines as the regular season nears its end. Judge joined the team during their recent six-game road trip and is set to return to the lineup on Tuesday when the Yankees commence a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies. However, Boone's remarks suggest Judge's initial workload could be limited as the Yankees carefully monitor their star's recovery.

Judge's absence was felt from May 24, 2026, since his return to the lineup with the Yankees, the team went 36-23, compared to a 45-39 record while he was on the injured list. Despite remaining competitive without Judge, his return could prove crucial for a team with postseason aspirations. The Yankees currently lead the American League Wild Card race with an 81-62 record and are just four games behind the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays with 19 games remaining.

This cushion allows the Yankees to take a cautious approach when managing Judge's return, potentially easing him back into action and gradually increasing his workload. Yankees fans will undoubtedly be eager to see Judge return to full strength, as his presence can significantly impact the team's performance, but the priority will remain ensuring his health before the postseason.