Aaron Judge traveled with the New York Yankees for their West Coast trip this week and is nearing a return to the lineup, manager Aaron Boone said Monday night.
Speaking before New York opened a series with a 10-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels, Boone said the superstar outfielder is “doing well” as he recovers from a stress fracture in his rib. Judge has not appeared in a game since May 31 after playing through pain for more than a month.
Aaron Judge could return in September
When asked whether Judge could be in the lineup when the Yankees return home on Sept. 8 to face the Colorado Rockies, Boone expressed optimism.
“I think it’s possible,” Boone said. “I’m not going to put a date on it. But I think those things are in play now. Again, it’s about getting the durability, and the workload built up on him, which is the biggest thing now.”
Last week, Judge, 34, was officially placed on the 60-day injured list. He told reporters in New York that he needed to “be smart over the next couple of weeks” while gradually increasing his activity.
At the time, Judge said he had not undergone another scan to measure the rib’s healing since he was cleared for light physical activity at the beginning of August.
“He’s here to kind of continue to ramp up baseball activities,” Boone said during Monday’s pregame media availability. “We’re getting closer, but we feel good about where he’s at.”
Yankees remain in playoff position
The Yankees began their road trip after winning three of four games against the Boston Red Sox. New York entered Monday’s game with a 78-60 record and held the American League’s No. 1 wild-card position.
Judge is batting .248 with 17 home runs and 38 RBIs this season.
