Aaron Judge is available to take the field and run the bases for the New York Yankees, but he’s not allowed to hit just yet.
Aaron Judge hasn’t played in a game since a Jakob Junis fastball broke the slugger’s right wrist on July 26. Now, he can finally get back into the outfield and onto the base paths, but he still can’t be where New York Yankees fans really want to see him—the batter’s box.
#Yankees are activating Aaron Judge from the disabled list. He can play defense and run the bases, but will not be used as a hitter yet.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) September 14, 2018
This is the next step in a recovery progress that has seemed agonizingly slow after the initial three-week diagnoses. Judge has gone from dry swings to hitting home runs in regular batting practice, but the Yankees are not taking any risks with their young star.
Welcome back, No. 9️⃣9️⃣‼️ pic.twitter.com/r2IXiLogmR
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) September 14, 2018
Well, unless you consider the risk of aggravating his wrist injury diving for a fly ball or sliding into a base. Apparently, the Yankees are more concerned with letting Judge feel like he’s contributing again.
“If we can get to a game where he can play an inning in the field, just getting into that game-mode again, I think there’s some value in that,’’ Aaron Boone told Dan Martin of the New York Post.
Boone also said that the team has not yet determined when Judge will be able to participate in a simulated game, which is the final test he’ll have to pass before stepping up to the plate in a game.
The Yankees manager told Michael Kay on Sept. 13 that there is a possibility Judge could be back sometime during the upcoming series with the Boston Red Sox. It’s unclear whether he was referring to Judge the hitter or Judge the pinch-runner/defensive substitution.
Aaron Boone tells @RealMichaelKay that Aaron Judge & Aroldis Chapman could BOTH be available for next week's series vs. Boston. pic.twitter.com/7WMy42A2Le
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) September 14, 2018
The Yankees demonstrated just how much they need Judge, after they let Jake Odorizzi take a no-hitter into the eighth inning against them on Wednesday night.
But until you see Judge walk into the on-deck circle, bat in hand, expect Yankees management to keep dancing around the issue.
