The Yankees’ long wait for Aaron Judge is finally over.
The team announced Monday night that the three-time MVP has been activated from the 60-day IL, and the Yanks’ official social media account posted a hype video signifying his return, all but guaranteeing that Judge will be in the lineup when the Yankees open their homestand against the Rockies on Tuesday night.
Judge had begun ramping up his rehab in earnest on the Yankees’ recent west coast trip, and was adamant that he did not feel a rehab assignment was necessary before returning, despite missing the last 84 games with a stress fracture in his right rib. Despite battling the injury early in the season, Judge still held a .904 OPS before he was placed on the IL.
Judge returns with the Yanks trying to stay in the race for the AL East, down four games to the Rays with 19 remaining. That is the window for Judge to shake off the rust from his extended absence before the playoffs begin. Fortunately, he should have a soft landing spot to start, as the lowly Rockies will throw out three starters who each hold an ERA of 5.19 or more in this upcoming series.
The Yankee offense has struggled badly without Judge, ranking in the bottom five in all of baseball in several key statistical categories since he landed on the IL.
The three-time MVP has been activated off the 60-day IL.
The three-time MVP has been activated off the 60-day IL.
