Home
As the New York Yankees navigate a critical stretch in their postseason push, all eyes are on one man — Aaron Judge. The Yankees’ captain, who was placed on the 10-day injured list on July 27 due to a flexor strain in his right elbow, is expected to rejoin the lineup imminently. However, with lingering concerns around his throwing arm, the franchise is preparing to make a pivotal adjustment to ensure the slugger’s bat remains in the lineup without risking further injury.
Aaron Judge nearing return but role likely to shift
Judge has been seen taking batting practice and is slated to return as early as Tuesday’s game. But rather than taking his usual position in the outfield, the 33-year-old is expected to serve as the designated hitter (DH) in the immediate future. This decision stems from the need to rest his arm while still capitalizing on his offensive firepower — a necessity for a team desperately clinging to postseason hopes.
“The Yankees are currently living their nightmare, as Aaron Judge is not in the lineup. Without their captain, their lineup is not that of a World Series contender,” noted Christopher Hennessy of ClutchPoints.
The Stanton Dilemma: Balancing DH duties
While deploying Judge as a DH may seem like a straightforward solution, it presents a complex challenge for the Yankees — what to do with Giancarlo Stanton. The veteran slugger has been in stellar form at the plate but is widely considered a defensive liability at this stage of his career.
“The Yankees are not the Bronx Bombers without Aaron Judge. But sitting Stanton for Austin Slater does not seem like the recipe to win games either,” Hennessy added. “For home games, Stanton could play the shallow right field in The Bronx. But other outfield spots across the league won't be kind to Stanton.”
Manager Aaron Boone will now have to juggle lineup versatility, injury management, and playoff urgency. The decision on who to send down to AAA when Judge returns could also prove critical, especially as each game becomes increasingly pivotal.
New York Yankees’ postseason hopes hinge on Judge
There’s no denying Aaron Judge’s significance to the Yankees’ playoff aspirations. Arguably one of the greatest hitters in MLB history, Judge’s presence in the lineup transforms New York from playoff hopefuls to genuine contenders. With less than two months left in the regular season, the margin for error is razor-thin.
If the Yankees are to punch their ticket to October baseball, their captain must be front and center — even if it means reshuffling their roster and making tough calls on fan favorites like Stanton.
ADVERTISEMENT
