Aaron Judge’s ongoing injury saga is a significant concern for the New York Yankees as they navigate a tight playoff race. Currently limited to DH-only duties due to a right flexor strain, Judge has been hitting well since returning from the injured list, with a .229/.426/.429 line over 11 games. However, manager Aaron Boone expressed uncertainty about Judge’s ability to return to full strength this season during a recent radio interview on WFAN and a podcast on Jomboy Media, stating that Judge may not throw again in 2025-08-20 18:46:00.
- Aaron Judge limited to DH-only duties.
- Manager doubts Judge's throwing ability.
- Giancarlo Stanton performing well as DH.
- Yankees facing tight playoff race.
- Judge's injury impacts team roster decisions.
- Wells struggling, losing playing time.
While Boone’s comments raised alarms, he did not outright say that Judge won’t throw this year. Instead, he indicated that Judge would need to demonstrate safe throwing capabilities before returning to the field. Judge countered Boone’s assessment, claiming he hasn’t been evaluated throwing in two weeks and is optimistic about regaining full strength. The Yankees face a challenging balancing act: they need Judge’s bat in the lineup while ensuring he doesn’t aggravate his elbow injury.
The Yankees are in a precarious position as they await Judge’s potential return to the field. With the Blue Jays leading the AL East, every game counts. Key points include:
- Judge is currently a DH-only player, impacting the Yankees’ lineup flexibility.
- Giancarlo Stanton has excelled at the plate but is limited defensively due to past injuries.
- The Yankees are just one game ahead of the Red Sox and Mariners in the Wild Card race.
- Ben Rice’s increased playing time behind the plate highlights the depth issues in the roster.
As the season winds down, the Yankees must carefully manage Judge’s recovery while maximizing their chances for postseason play. Will they find a way to integrate him back into the field effectively?
