Overview
- The Yankees scheduled Judge to face live pitching Monday at Yankee Stadium as the final clearance step before activation.
- Team officials say a Tuesday activation is unlikely because the club needs to gauge his response to live pitching and build game volume.
- Judge has told the team he prefers to skip a minor‑league rehab assignment and instead ramp up in New York, and manager Aaron Boone said he will play Judge “as much as he can.”
- The club must manage roster and health concerns at the same time: center fielder Trent Grisham has a Grade 2 hamstring strain that could end his regular season, and right‑hander Clarke Schmidt still needs several minor‑league outings.
- Judge’s return matters because his prolonged absence coincided with a sharp drop in the Yankees’ offense and his presence could change lineup construction and the team’s late‑season push.