Yankees’ Aaron Judge Fully Cleared; No Limits in Workouts

This article checks in on Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees as spring training begins and the World Baseball Classic draws near.

Judge’s right elbow is good to go, so he’s been cleared for full workouts with the team. That update shapes how New York juggles the Grapefruit League schedule with Team USA’s packed calendar.

Judge cleared for full-squad workouts and a spring ramp-up

Aaron Judge will take part in all full-squad Yankees workouts, according to manager Aaron Boone. Last season, a right elbow flexor strain slowed Judge down, and he landed on the injured list in late July.

He spent just 10 days on the IL, came back as a DH, and then eased back into right field as his arm improved. An offseason MRI showed he didn’t need elbow surgery, which was a relief for everyone watching closely.

Boone outlined the plan: Judge will play in four or five of the first nine Grapefruit League games. He’ll build up to six innings before heading out to join Team USA on March 1.

That approach feels cautious but hopeful, aiming for Judge to be ready for both the Yankees and international play.

Accelerated WBC prep and Judge’s role with Team USA

Judge and several Yankees bound for the World Baseball Classic have ramped up their prep, facing live pitching earlier and pushing through tougher workouts than usual this spring. Boone mentioned Judge took a couple weeks off from throwing, but lately, his arm looks strong and healthy.

The manager expects Judge in right field for Team USA, with some DH days mixed in to keep things balanced. Team USA will play exhibitions March 3–4 in Arizona, then start pool play March 6 in Houston.

That’s a tight window, and it’ll really test Judge’s readiness and stamina.

Postseason brilliance and what it means for 2024 expectations

Judge’s postseason was something else—he hit .500/.581/.692 and came up huge with a game-tying three-run homer in Game 3 of the ALDS.

That kind of clutch hitting is exactly why the Yankees count on him as the core of their lineup. With Judge healthy and locked in, the team feels pretty optimistic about his role as anchor when the regular season rolls around.

The WBC is coming up fast, so the Yankees are taking a steady approach to keep everyone at full strength. Judge’s ability to handle right field for Team USA, and step in as DH when needed, should let him stay sharp without risking his arm.

It’s a tricky balance, but Boone’s plan seems like the kind of veteran move most teams would trust when their stars take on international play.

Key dates and milestones to monitor

Judge has tied his readiness to specific timelines. These milestones will shape how the Yankees approach spring and the early part of the season:

• March 1: Judge gets the green light to join Team USA for the World Baseball Classic buildup.
• March 3–4: Team USA plays exhibitions in Arizona.
• March 6: World Baseball Classic pool play kicks off in Houston.

Fans should keep an eye on how Judge’s throwing progression matches up with his defensive work in right field. There’s also the question of how he’ll juggle DH appearances with Team USA’s schedule.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Boone: No limits for Judge at start of workouts