New York Yankees star Aaron Judge is expected to resume hitting off a tee in the next few days, according to manager Aaron Boone. Judge was placed on the 10-day injured list on Saturday with a right flexor strain.
Boone remains optimistic that Judge can be activated after the minimum 10-day period. “I think that’s the expectation, but we’ll listen to the body, the trainers, him, and see where we’re at,” Boone said Tuesday. “That’s the hope.”
Upon his return, Judge will serve exclusively as a designated hitter. Boone confirmed Judge will not resume throwing for another 10 to 15 days, and the team has ruled out using him at first base. The timeline for his return to the outfield is still undetermined.
“There’s the feeling that if he just DH’d now, that he probably would not compromise his UCL,” Boone explained. “Obviously, throwing would.”
Before the injury, Judge was having a phenomenal season, batting .342/.449/.771 with 37 home runs in 103 games. He led the majors in OPS, OPS+, WAR, total bases, and hits. The stint on the IL has shifted the AL MVP race, with Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (41 home runs) now the betting favorite over Judge.
The Yankees, who entered Tuesday with a 57-49 record and 5.5 games out of first place in the AL East, recently acquired third baseman Ryan McMahon and utility infielder Amed Rosario to bolster their lineup in Judge’s absence.
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