Aaron Judge Returns to Yankees Lineup Following Three-Month Absence

Outfielder Aaron Judge returned to the Yankees lineup Tuesday against the Rockies after being sidelined since May 31 with a fractured rib.

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge returned to the active roster Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies, batting third and starting in right field. Judge had been sidelined since May 31 due to a fractured first rib sustained while diving for a ball in late April. Manager Aaron Boone indicated that Judge will be eased back into play, confirming the outfielder will not finish Tuesday's game and will sit out one of the following two contests before the Subway Series begins on Friday.

The Yankees activated Judge directly from the injured list after he faced live pitching at Yankee Stadium on Monday, bypassing a formal rehab assignment. Before his injury, Judge played 59 games, recording a .248 batting average, 17 home runs, and a .907 OPS. During his absence, New York’s offensive production dropped from fourth in the majors in runs scored to 26th, though the team maintained a 45-39 record during that span.

New York entered Tuesday's matchup trailing the Tampa Bay Rays by four games in the American League East with 19 games remaining in the regular season. The club currently holds a two-game lead over the Boston Red Sox for the top AL Wild Card spot. Boone noted that Judge has been asymptomatic for several weeks and has shown no physical restrictions during recent strength and running drills.