After a 10-day absence due to a flexor tendon strain in his right elbow, Judge Back in Action was the storyline Yankees fans had been waiting for. On Tuesday night, the slugger returned to the lineup as the designated hitter, marking a significant moment in New York’s season. While his presence couldn’t lift the Yankees to a win against the Texas Rangers, the return of their star slugger signals hope for a team that has faltered in recent weeks.
A Return Marked by Uncertainty
Judge Back in Action brought a level of energy back to the dugout, but questions still swirl around his throwing arm. Aaron Judge went 0 for 3 batting third in the lineup during a 2-0 loss, and the team remains cautious about when he might return to playing in the outfield.
Manager Aaron Boone confirmed that Judge is set to begin a throwing program on Wednesday. However, he tempered expectations, noting, “I don’t want to get ahead of myself. We’ll probably have a better idea after a day or two of that.”
That uncertainty hasn’t clouded the excitement surrounding Judge Back in Action. The Yankees’ All-Star slugger, who had been sidelined since July 25, continues to hit .339 — leading the majors — with 37 home runs and 85 RBIs. Even without taking the field defensively, Judge’s presence in the batter’s box has immediate implications for the team’s offensive output.
MRI Results Offer Optimism
Part of the reason the Yankees are optimistic about Judge Back in Action is due to the results of his MRI, which showed no acute damage to the ulnar collateral ligament. Instead, a platelet-rich plasma injection administered on July 27 has allowed Judge to slowly work his way back into playing shape.
The slugger first experienced pain on July 22 while making a strong throw home during a game against Toronto. The pain lingered and led to his placement on the injured list, but now with Judge Back in Action, the focus shifts to managing his workload and minimizing risk.
Boone: “So Far, So Good”
Boone expressed measured positivity, stating, “I think he’s been pretty upbeat about it. Down in Tampa, he did a lot of things — just not throwing — to prepare for the throwing program. So far, so good.” That attitude mirrors the sense of cautious optimism within the Yankees organization.
Even if Judge Back in Action doesn’t immediately mean a full return to the outfield, it signals progress and allows the team to gradually reintegrate their star in a controlled environment.
Impact on the Lineup and Giancarlo Stanton
With Judge Back in Action at DH, the team had to shuffle some pieces. Giancarlo Stanton, who has been the Yankees’ primary DH across 32 games this season, found himself moved out of the role. Stanton, who recently hit his 10th home run of the season, was a pinch-hitter on Tuesday night and grounded into a double play in the ninth.
Boone acknowledged the challenge of balancing the lineup with both Judge and Stanton available, stating, “That’s the tough part. G’s been in a good place since coming back. We’ll have to navigate these next few days carefully.”
Still, Judge Back in Action provides a much-needed spark for a team that has lost five consecutive games and is slipping in the American League East standings.
Yankees Slide Continues
Despite Judge Back in Action, the Yankees’ performance on the field hasn’t kept pace. The team has fallen to third place in the AL East behind Toronto and Boston after starting July in first place. Now six games behind the Blue Jays, the Yankees cling to the second wild-card spot, just a half-game ahead of the Rangers.
Judge himself addressed the current state of affairs: “We’ve got some work to do. A lot of things to clean up. But the boys in here are fired up to change all that and get things right. We’ve got a great ballclub in here.”
The sense of urgency is clear, and Judge Back in Action could be the emotional jolt needed to inspire a turnaround.
Roster Moves Reflect Changing Dynamics
The Yankees made several roster moves coinciding with Judge Back in Action. Newly acquired reliever Jake Bird was sent to Triple-A just five days after arriving from Colorado. Bird had a rough start, allowing seven runs (six earned) in just two innings, including a game-changing homer by Josh Jung.
Boone remains confident in Bird’s long-term potential but admitted the demotion is a strategic reset. “We still think really highly of him… hopefully this gives him the reset he needs,” he said.
In addition, outfielder Austin Slater was placed on the IL with a hamstring strain after leaving Monday’s game. Mark Leiter Jr. was activated after recovering from a stress fracture, while right-hander Yerry de los Santos was called up, and JT Brubaker was designated for assignment.
While these moves may seem routine, they highlight the volatility within the Yankees’ roster and the stabilizing effect of Judge Back in Action.
Judge’s Mentality: “We Need All the Big Boys”
Perhaps most important to fans and teammates alike is Judge’s mental approach. When asked about how long the throwing program might last, he replied, “No idea. But we’ll see how it goes tomorrow and hopefully I can get out there. Because we need all the big boys in the lineup.”
That leadership tone, reinforced by Judge Back in Action, shows his commitment not just to his own recovery but to the team’s overall performance.
What Comes Next?
The Yankees will now monitor how Judge responds to the throwing program. His return to the outfield will be based on his physical feedback, and the coaching staff is taking no chances. Boone reiterated that they’ll know more “after a day or two.”
Meanwhile, the offensive load continues to fall on the rest of the lineup. With Judge Back in Action, even in a limited capacity, the team has its cornerstone slugger back — a crucial factor heading into the critical stretch of the season.
Final Thoughts: Judge Back in Action, Yankees at a Crossroads
There’s no denying the significance of Judge Back in Action. He remains the Yankees’ most dangerous hitter, a leader in the clubhouse, and a symbol of what the team can achieve at full strength. But his return also underscores just how fragile the Yankees’ current situation is.
If his throwing program progresses well, and he returns to the outfield in short order, the Yankees could regain their early-season momentum. If not, his bat alone will need to carry a heavy load.
In either case, Judge Back in Action is more than a headline — it’s a turning point in the Yankees’ 2025 campaign. Whether that turning point leads to a postseason push or a season of what-ifs will depend on what comes next, both for Judge and the team surrounding him.