Report: Yankees Eyeing Target Return Date for Aaron Judge

With the stretch run looming, the Yankees are getting some much-needed assistance.

New York plans to activate right fielder Aaron Judge from the 10-day injured list for Friday evening’s series opener against the Orioles, according to a Wednesday afternoon report from Joel Sherman of The New York Post.

Judge, who clubbed 62 home runs a year ago to set a new American League record, has not played since June 3. During a 6–3 Yankees victory over the Dodgers, Judge collided with the outfield wall in Dodger Stadium and sprained his right big toe.

Mere minutes after Sherman’s report came out, New York manager Aaron Boone told reporters he “wouldn’t... rule out” a Judge return against Baltimore.

Barring last-second setback, the Yankees plan is to activate Aaron Judge on Friday against the Orioles. https://t.co/oajlWbdhv7

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 26, 2023

Aaron Boone said “I wouldn’t rule it out” that Aaron Judge is activated this weekend. He said they’re taking it day by day.

— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) July 26, 2023

Judge has slashed .291/.404/.674 with 19 home runs and 40 RBIs this year in just 49 games. He was named an All-Star for the fifth time, but was unable to participate in the festivities in Seattle.

The Yankees are last in the AL East at 53–48—nine games behind the first-place Orioles—but remain firmly in the wild card hunt. New York trails the Blue Jays by 2.5 games for the league’s final slot.