Yankees’ Aaron Judge begins baseball activities as return draws closer

Yankees’ Aaron Judge begins baseball activities as return draws closer originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Aaron Judge is beginning to take meaningful steps toward a return to the New York Yankees, though the club still isn’t ready to put a timetable on when its superstar outfielder will be back in the lineup.

Judge played catch and ran in New York on Friday as he continues his recovery from a broken right rib that has sidelined him since May 31.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone described the workout as another stage in Judge’s gradual return to baseball activities.

“Just part of the ramp-up to baseball activity,” Boone said before Saturday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays. “Hopefully he’ll continue to progress through this week. We’ll see what else gets introduced.”

Judge, a three-time American League MVP and eight-time All-Star, was cleared to begin light workout activity Aug. 5. He has maintained that he intends to return this season, providing some optimism for a Yankees club hoping to have its biggest offensive weapon available for the stretch run.

Judge return buzz builds after latest workout

Boone said he spoke with Judge following Friday’s workout and received positive feedback after the slugger threw for the first time during his rehabilitation.

Still, New York isn’t setting a return date.

“We expect him back, but we’re in the early stages of baseball activity,” Boone said. “Hopefully things continue to go well.”

Judge was batting .248 with 17 home runs, 38 RBIs and a .907 OPS before landing on the injured list.

His production had slowed shortly before the injury, with Judge hitting only one home run over his final 18 games before being sidelined.

Even with those struggles, Judge’s presence would provide an enormous boost to the Yankees’ lineup if he can return healthy.

For now, the Yankees will continue increasing Judge’s workload while monitoring how his rib responds.

Friday’s throwing and running session doesn’t mean a return is imminent, but for New York, it represents another encouraging checkpoint in getting its captain back on the field.

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