Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees outfielder and reigning American League Most Valuable Player, is expected to return to the lineup next week after recovering from a flexor strain in his right elbow. Judge resumed on-field batting practice before Friday’s game against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park.
Manager Aaron Boone said the team hopes to activate Judge as a designated hitter during their upcoming series against the Texas Rangers, targeting Tuesday or Wednesday for his return. “The club plans to have Judge travel to Tampa, Fla., on Sunday to collect live at-bats at the team’s player development complex with the intent of having him return as a designated hitter during the Rangers series,” Boone stated.
Judge sustained his injury on July 22 while attempting a throw from right field against the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite showing signs of pain an inning later, he continued playing in that game and appeared in two more games against Toronto and Philadelphia before being placed on the 10-day injured list.
The Yankees reported there was no acute damage to Judge’s ulnar collateral ligament. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection when he was placed on the injured list last Saturday. During recent home games, Judge participated in light fielding drills but has not thrown overhand since sustaining the injury. Boone indicated that Judge could resume throwing between August 8 and 13.
Further updates about Judge’s recovery will be provided as he continues his rehabilitation with live at-bats in Tampa ahead of a possible return next week.
