Yankees slugger Aaron Judge will be activated Friday, manager Aaron Boone told WFAN. But hot-hitting outfielder Cameron Maybin's future with the team still remains unclear.
Judge has been out since suffering a left oblique strain on April 20.
"He feels great," Boone told WFAN's Mike Francesa on Thursday. "He's been feeling really good for the last few weeks, and now it's just about building him up. And we'll bring him along in that way because he hasn't played a lot of games and it was basically six to eight weeks of being out, so we'll be smart about it. He'll probably hopefully play the last three games of this series (against the Astros) and then probably give him a day off there."
Maybin has been among several Yankees fill-ins this season who have performed beyond expectations, especially the last couple of weeks. The 32-year-old is hitting .307 with five home runs and 12 RBIs in 40 games. Since June 5, he has batted .405, and on Wednesday he had his streak of four games with a home run snapped.
But Maybin could get lost in a numbers game and be designated for assignment. The Yankees must decided between him and carrying 12 pitchers, rather than 13.
Boone said the Yankees "have a feel for which way we might go" but wouldn't elaborate on what they're thinking. He said the team's brass will get together one more time before making a final decision, which will be announced Friday when the Yankees must clear a roster spot for Judge.
Boone said Maybin has certainly given the Yankees a lot to think about.
"I think what he's brought to the table between the lines has been great," the manager said. "He's been a really good player for us. He brings some versatility. We feel like that some of the things that he's worked on from a swing standpoint have more than just translated, but we think there's a little staying power."
To listen to the interview, click on the audio player above.
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