MLB
Aaron Judge Is Back: Yankees Activate Captain for Long-Awaited Return After Broken Rib Injury
The Bronx has its captain back.
New York Yankees officials confirmed Monday night that Aaron Judge has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list, ending a stretch that kept the three-time MVP sidelined since May 31.
Judge, 34, missed more than 80 games after a broken right rib sustained on April 26, but he played through the pain for weeks before the Yankees eventually benched him.
The team made it official in a roster-moves post on X, writing that it “Reinstated OF Aaron Judge (#99) from the 60-day injured list.”
Judge is expected to slot right back into the starting lineup as the everyday right fielder for Tuesday night’s series opener against the Colorado Rockies at Yankee Stadium, rather than easing in as a designated hitter.
His final preparation came Monday, when he stepped in for live batting practice at Yankee Stadium and faced pitching for the first time since going down.
Speaking to reporters over the weekend in San Diego, Judge didn’t hide how the drawn-out recovery had worn on him, telling reporters via Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, who posted to X: “I’m mad how long it has taken.
“It is what it is. I wish it was real two months ago, but we’re at this point [now]. We’re getting close. I can’t wait to be back out there.”
Before the injury, Judge was hitting .248 with 17 home runs, 38 RBIs, 43 runs scored, and a .907 OPS across 59 games.
The timing is crucial as the Yankees enter Judge’s return sitting behind the Tampa Bay Rays for the AL East lead and the American League’s best record, while fending off a red-hot Boston Red Sox club that trails closely.
