Aaron Judge Nears Return as Yankees Fight to Save a Fading Season
NEW YORK — The Bronx is waiting. Aaron Judge, the Yankees’ towering slugger and captain, may soon test his right arm again, giving the team and its fans a flicker of hope after weeks of frustration and freefall.
Manager Aaron Boone offered the update before Monday’s game, saying Judge is “close to throwing to bases” for the first time since suffering a right elbow flexor strain on July 26. The phrase was small but powerful, signaling that the Yankees’ best player might be on the cusp of returning for the final stretch of a turbulent season.
Before the injury, Judge had been a one-man show of power. He launched 49 home runs in just over four months, carrying a lineup that often struggled for consistency. At the time of his last appearance, New York sat firmly in the American League Wild Card picture. But without their captain, the Yankees have slid into mediocrity, falling 3.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays and posting a negative run differential that underscores their struggles.
Boone praised Judge’s dedication to rehab, calling him “as focused and competitive as anyone I’ve ever seen.” Teammates echoed the sentiment. “He’s the heartbeat of this club,” said infielder Gleyber Torres. “When he’s out there, everything feels different. We feed off his energy and his leadership.”
Judge’s potential return has sparked an intense conversation across baseball. On social platform X, fans debated the American League MVP race, with some arguing that Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh deserves the award for leading Seattle toward the top of the standings. Others maintain that Judge’s early-season dominance—and his status as a likely future Hall of Famer—make him the league’s most valuable player, regardless of time missed.
In batting cages under Yankee Stadium, every swing Judge takes is documented by a swarm of cameras. Reporters describe a player eager to rejoin his teammates but careful not to rush the process. “He knows the stakes,” said Boone. “He’s not going to risk a setback, but you can tell he’s itching to compete.”
The Yankees, once confident in their October prospects, now find themselves battling not only opponents but the weight of expectations. A lineup without Judge lacks its anchor, and pitching inconsistencies have magnified the absence of his bat. Fans who once anticipated a deep playoff run are now simply hoping their star can return in time to make a difference.
For Judge, the focus remains on the team. “All I can do is keep working and be ready when my arm is ready,” he said in a brief clubhouse conversation. “Our goal is still the same—get to the postseason and give ourselves a chance.”
Whether Judge’s return arrives soon enough to save New York’s season is uncertain. But the possibility of his powerful swing and steady leadership back in the lineup offers the Yankees something they desperately need: belief.
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