Aaron Judge returns to Yankees lineup after missing 99 days with injury

Aaron Judge made his first appearance in the New York Yankees lineup since being sidelined for 99 days due to injury. He took the field on Tuesday, September 8, 2023, in a game against the Colorado Rockies. After a standing ovation, Judge struck out three times in his first at-bat, which consisted of just five pitches. The Yankees won the game 5-3, with Judge going 0-for-3 in total.

Judge's absence from the lineup was due to a fractured rib that he sustained during a diving play in Houston in late April. He had been playing through rib and shoulder discomfort for about a month before his injury forced him to sit out May 31. Although Judge had a career-low batting average of .248 with 17 home runs and 38 RBIs during his 59-game absence, the Yankees' offense vastly improved once he returned.

With Judge back in the lineup, the Yankees averaged 5.17 runs per game and hit .243 with a .770 OPS compared to 4.06 runs and .227 AVG with a .681 OPS when he was absent.

The Yankees, who were 81-62 at the time, now sit four games behind Tampa Bay in the American League East and two ahead of Boston for the top wild card spot. They will host the Rays from September 22-24, a series that could determine the division. Judge, however, will be eased back into the lineup, with manager Aaron Boone stating that he will be pulled from some games early to work up to nine innings. Judge will not play every day during his return.