Overview
- Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Judge, who rejoined the club on its West Coast trip, is “doing well” and that a return during the Sept. 8 homestand is possible if he tolerates increased workload and clears medical checks.
- Judge has advanced from running and tee work to Trajekt batting practice and high‑velocity machine sessions to restore timing; the Trajekt machine recreates exact big‑league pitches but is only available to home teams.
- Multiple MRI scans diagnosed a stress fracture in Judge’s first right rib that sidelined him after he left the lineup on May 31, and the club’s stepwise plan emphasizes reps and endurance rather than a fixed activation date.
- Judge has said he would prefer to skip a minor‑league rehab assignment if medically cleared, a choice the Yankees are weighing alongside the need for live at‑bats to confirm game readiness.
- A healthy Judge would alter the Yankees’ September roster math and offensive outlook as they chase the AL East and protect a wild‑card lead, forcing choices about outfield playing time and lineup construction.