Aaron Judge's long-awaited Yankee return appears to be getting closer.
Aaron Boone told reporters before Monday's series opener against the Angels that "it's possible" the Yankee captain is back in the lineup during the team's next homestand, which begins on Sept. 8 against the Rockies. Per Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, Boone would not put a specific date during that homestand in which he could see Judge returning, but that would put the range from Sept. 8 to Sept. 13, the latter being the final game of the homestand, the series finale against the crosstown rival Mets.
Judge traveled with the team for this week's west coast trip, and was in the outfield before Monday's game doing agility work and some more intense running, in addition to fielding fly balls. He has said that he does not feel he needs a rehab assignment.
The two-time reigning MVP has been out for more than three months with a stress fracture in his rib. The Yankee offense, which has been better of late, went into the tank without him for an extended stretch, leading to a summer swoon that set them back in the AL East race. If Judge can return on Sept. 8, he would have 19 games to shake off the rust and get ready for the postseason.
Judge was hitting .248 with 17 home runs and a .904 OPS at the time of his injury.
Aaron Boone would not put a date on it, but it's getting closer.
Aaron Boone would not put a date on it, but it's getting closer.
