Aaron Judge seeks redemption in right field as Yankees take on Blue Jays
After making his return to the outfield in the series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays, Aaron Judge is set to patrol right field once again for today’s matchup. This marks his second appearance since suffering a right elbow flexor strain on July 25. Since being activated on August 5, Judge has primarily played as a designated hitter, a strategic choice by Yankees manager Aaron Boone to safeguard his throwing arm.
With Judge back in right field, Giancarlo Stanton is expected to shift back to the designated hitter role for the afternoon game. MLB insider Bryan Hoch confirmed the news on social media, stating, “Aaron Judge returns to right field this afternoon vs. Toronto.”
Ongoing recovery concerns for Judge
Despite his return, Judge’s road to full recovery remains a work in progress. Boone acknowledged that the outfielder has not completely healed from his injury yet, prompting the Yankees to proceed cautiously with his reintegration into the lineup. As the regular season approaches its final month, Judge’s assignments may alternate between right field and DH as the team seeks to balance his health with competitive needs.
Mixed performance in the outfield
Judge’s initial outing back in the outfield raised some eyebrows regarding his arm strength. In Friday’s game against the Blue Jays, he appeared less than his typical self, particularly after making a hesitant throw on a two-run single in the first inning. Instead of attempting a deeper throw to home plate, he opted to throw to second base, preventing the single from turning into a double.
After the game, Judge reassured fans about his arm’s condition. “Yeah, I wouldn’t be out there if I wasn’t,” he stated emphatically. “I just dropped the ball in, you know, threw it into the cutoff man. It was a two-run single. I wouldn’t be in the outfield if I weren’t able to make that throw. It just didn’t happen there.”
As Judge prepares for today’s game, he faces a significant challenge against the Blue Jays. He will need to demonstrate readiness for deeper throws if the opportunity arises, solidifying his role in the Yankees’ quest for postseason positioning.
