The Yankees are sitting pretty atop the AL East with a 36-19 record.
New York's success to this point in the season has come in spite of an injured list that has oftentimes spilled onto a second page. However, the one name that looms largest on that list — Aaron Judge — is taking plenty of steps in the right direction.
What’s the latest on Aaron Judge’s injury?
Judge, with five home runs, 11 RBIs and a .925 OPS in 20 games, was injured during an at-bat in the sixth inning in a game against the Royals on April 20, but is checking off boxes left and right in the last few weeks of his rehab.
Thursday before New York’s game against the Red Sox was postponed, Judge handled some work in the outfield fielding ground balls, fly balls and balls off the wall. From all accounts, his mobility and strength on throws to the bases were impressive.
Today in Aaron Judge watch: the outfielder gets in some outfield work, taking some fly balls and grounders, and throwing to second, third and home. pic.twitter.com/4hlanGv5d4
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) May 30, 2019
Judge told reporters Thursday he will begin taking batting practice in the indoor cage this weekend.
What Judge had to say
“I felt I haven’t missed a day, it feels like April (20),’’ Judge said after his Thursday workout (via the New York Post). “There is no pain and no problem. I am letting it go. The last couple of days, getting back to normal routine and getting the rhythm down again.’’
What Yankees manager Aaron Boone had to say
“When he got injured, one of the first conversations I had with him was that, ‘You can still impact us in a big way,’ ” Boone said when discussing Judge’s continued presence with the team home and away despite his injury. “I feel like he has. He went on that first road trip with us. He is part of our hitters’ meetings. He is part of integrating players brought into the clubhouse. He has been a huge part of this for the guys in that room.’’
When will Judge be back?
There is still no official timetable for Judge to rejoin the Yankees’ lineup. Boone has said he won’t put a date on Judge until he fully resumes baseball activities and begins swinging a bat.