The latest update from the Bronx is a blend of injury management, lineup shuffles, and a bit of public back-and-forth between a superstar and his manager. After New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone suggested that Aaron Judge might not return to the outfield this season because of his right elbow flexor strain, Judge himself stepped in to push back on that idea.
This whole thing shows how teams tend to play it safe with their injured stars. At the same time, it’s clear that elite athletes like Judge are determined to prove they’re ready for anything.
Aaron Judge’s Elbow Injury and the Outfield Question
Since coming back from the injured list on August 5, Judge has only served as the designated hitter. Boone initially said during a WFAN interview that he didn’t expect Judge to regain full throwing strength this season, though he could still play defense if the team really needed him.
Judge’s Response to Boone’s Cautious Outlook
Judge didn’t hold back. He told reporters he’s been throwing up to 250 feet in practice and feels strong enough to get back in the outfield.
He also pointed out that Boone hadn’t seen his recent throwing sessions. That suggests the manager’s comments might have come from not having all the facts, rather than real medical concerns.
Boone later walked back his remarks and admitted he may have overstated Judge’s limitations. He said that while Judge might not have peak arm strength yet, he can still handle outfield duties without risking more injury.
Judge’s Offensive Production Remains Elite
No matter what’s going on with his elbow, Judge’s bat is still ridiculous. He’s putting up another MVP-level season: .333 batting average, 39 home runs, and 91 RBIs, plus a 1.134 OPS that puts him right up there with the best hitters in MLB.
Impact of Limited Defensive Role on Yankees’ Roster
Keeping Judge at DH has cost the Yankees some roster flexibility. With Giancarlo Stanton—another big bat who’s limited defensively—also in the mix, Boone has to juggle the lineup to get the most out of everyone without sacrificing defense.
It gets trickier when one or both need days off or just a breather because of nagging physical issues. That’s not easy to manage, honestly.
Giancarlo Stanton’s Return and Ongoing Caution
The Yankees got a lift when Stanton returned Tuesday after missing three games with general soreness. Stanton’s own elbow issues have mostly kept him at DH too, since the team doesn’t want to risk aggravating anything by playing him in the outfield too much.
Managing Multiple Sluggers with Defensive Limitations
Having both Judge and Stanton at DH most days leaves fewer chances to rotate other bats into that spot. That means position players who could use a break don’t get it as often as they might need.
Boone’s had to walk a tightrope with this all season, and it’s not getting any easier.
Other Roster Moves Impacting the Yankees
Meanwhile, the team made a few other roster tweaks:
- Amed Rosario came off the injured list, giving the Yankees another infield option and a bit more depth.
- Brent Headrick landed on the injured list, which takes away one arm from Boone’s bullpen choices.
- Fernando Cruz kept moving forward in his rehab, heading to Double-A Somerset as he gets closer to returning.
Looking Ahead for Judge and the Yankees
The Yankees are heading into the season’s final stretch with their postseason hopes hanging on the health of their biggest stars. Judge keeps telling everyone he’s ready to get back in the outfield, which gives Boone more options—if the medical team signs off.
Trying to juggle Judge and Stanton in the lineup, while working in guys like Rosario who just came back, is going to matter a lot. It’s a tricky balance, honestly.
Right now, you can feel the push and pull between careful management and a player’s urge to compete. In baseball, just like anywhere else, how well a coach and player talk can matter as much as anything on the scoreboard.
Judge isn’t backing down. He wants everyone to know he’s not done out there in the outfield.
Here is the source article for this story: Stanton back in Yanks’ lineup; Judge remains out
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