Aaron Judge Goes 0 for 3 in Yankees Return After 99-Day Absence
Source: Voice of Alexandria Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
NEW YORK – Aaron Judge stepped into the batter’s box for the first time in 99 days on Tuesday night, a span that felt far longer for a Yankees lineup starving for his presence. The three-time MVP, returning from a broken rib suffered in late April, went 0 for 3 against the Colorado Rockies in front of a sellout crowd of 46,211 at Yankee Stadium.
Judge started in right field and batted third, as if he had never left. But the rust was evident. In the first inning, he swung under a four-seam fastball from right-hander Gabriel Hughes, striking out. In the fourth, he flied out to deep right-center. In the sixth, he took a called third strike on a full-count pitch from rookie left-hander Mark Manfredi. All three at-bats began with 2-0 counts and ended on fastballs. He was replaced by Heliot Ramos at the start of the seventh, as planned.
“He won’t play the whole game today, even though he wants to,” manager Aaron Boone said earlier in the day. “He’ll probably have one of the days this series off.”
Judge had missed 84 games since his last appearance on May 31. The 34-year-old captain tried to persuade Boone to activate him sooner, especially after center fielder Trent Grisham strained a hamstring on Friday night. “He actually appeared in my door in San Diego after Grish got hurt: ‘Ready to go tomorrow,’” Boone recalled. “Didn’t want to do that because there were some final boxes we definitely wanted him to check.”
Judge took batting practice at Yankee Stadium on Monday’s off day and was activated from the 60-day injured list that night. The decision involved discussions with Boone, strength and conditioning coach Brett McCabe, the athletic training staff, general manager Brian Cashman, and owner Hal Steinbrenner. “Hal just wanted to know where everyone was with it, where we stood,” Boone said.
During batting practice Tuesday, Judge sprayed several home runs to all fields, a sight that brought hope to the home crowd. For the season, he is hitting .244 with 17 homers, 38 RBIs, and an .895 OPS. The injury occurred on April 26 when Judge attempted to avoid second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. during a diving catch attempt in Houston. He batted .263 with seven homers and 20 RBIs in 31 games before going on the IL.
New York’s offense struggled without him. Through May 31, the team hit .243 with 86 homers and a .770 OPS, averaging 5.17 runs per game. In Judge’s absence, those numbers dropped to .227, 107 homers, .681 OPS, and 4.06 runs per game, ranking 29th in MLB batting average. “We hung in there,” Boone said. “We’ve had stretches where it’s been a real struggle for us offensively.”
Opponents became more aggressive against other Yankees hitters. Statcast data showed Ben Rice saw 48.3% strikes compared to 46.7% before, and Cody Bellinger 49.7% versus 47.3%. Boone noted the ripple effect: “There is an effect around him netting better opportunities and better at-bats for everyone.” He added, “We’re very left-handed and have been much of the year. So how many days a week are we getting a lefty in the fifth inning, in the seventh inning and the ninth inning and they’re matching up against us and they don’t have to roll through Aaron Judge that’s surrounding those lefties?”
New York entered the game 81-62, four games behind Tampa Bay in the AL East and two games ahead of Boston for the top wild card. The Yankees hold the tiebreaker over the Red Sox after winning the season series.
In other injury news, relief pitcher Fernando Cruz, sidelined since Aug. 25 with a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, decided against Tommy John surgery after consulting with Dr. Keith Meister. He received a cortisone shot and plans to resume throwing this week. “If it breaks, it breaks,” Cruz said. “If you hear a pop or you hear something, it’s time to go to an operation.”
Left-hander Ryan Weathers also aims to return this season, throwing on flat ground up to 75 feet as he recovers from a left forearm flexor strain. He hopes to throw off a mound soon and contribute in a bullpen role for the postseason.
Article commentary
Aaron Judge’s return to the Yankees lineup on Tuesday night was more than a simple activation – it was a symbolic moment for a team teetering between contention and fragility. Going 0 for 3 in his first game back is hardly cause for alarm; even the best hitters need time to regain timing against elite pitching. The more pressing question is whether Judge can provide the offensive spark that has been missing for three months. The statistics tell a stark story. Before Judge’s injury, the Yankees were a top-tier offensive club. Without him, they slipped to near the bottom of the league in batting average. The drop in OPS from .770 to .681 underscores how much the lineup depended on his presence – not just for his own production, but for the protection he afforded hitters around him. Opponents could attack left-handed batters like Ben Rice and Cody Bellinger more aggressively without worrying about Judge lurking behind them. Manager Aaron Boone’s handling of Judge’s return has been careful, balancing the player’s eagerness with medical prudence. The decision to delay activation despite the injury to Trent Grisham shows discipline. With the playoffs in sight, rushing a star player back could lead to re-injury or prolonged rust. Boone’s approach – limiting Judge to partial games and planning days off – mirrors modern sports science thinking. The Yankees currently sit 81-62, four games behind Tampa Bay in the AL East and holding a slim wild-card lead over Boston. Every game matters. Judge’s return cannot be expected to instantly transform the offense, but it changes the calculus for opposing pitchers. Even an 80% Judge commands respect and shifts defensive alignments. Beyond Judge, the team faces other injury uncertainties. The decision by Fernando Cruz to avoid Tommy John surgery and attempt a return carries risk, but reflects the urgency of the playoff push. Ryan Weathers’ potential bullpen role adds depth. However, the Yankees’ postseason fortunes rest heavily on Judge’s recovery and performance. There is also the intangible factor – the emotional lift. Judge’s smile as he tapped his jersey and the sellout crowd’s energy cannot be measured, but they are real. Leaders like Judge provide confidence that trickles through the dugout. At 34, Judge is still in his prime, but he is not immune to age-related decline or injury recurrence. The broken rib was a freak accident, but the cumulative toll of his aggressive playing style is a concern. The Yankees must manage his workload carefully over the final weeks. If Judge can find his rhythm quickly, the Yankees have a genuine chance to overtake Tampa Bay or secure a wild card. If he struggles, the offense may continue to sputter. Tuesday night was a first step – not a conclusion. The next few games will reveal whether the Yankees’ captain can carry them through October.