The New York Yankees are set to welcome back their captain, Aaron Judge, after he was activated off the injured list following a brief hiatus due to a flexor strain. This marks a critical moment for the struggling team, which has faced a challenging stretch, losing their last four games and only maintaining a slim 1.5-game lead in the wild card standings.
Manager Aaron Boone expressed his excitement about Judge’s return, emphasizing his immense impact on the lineup and the team culture. Judge’s injury was sustained while making a throw two weeks ago, leading to a necessary stint on the injured list after initial attempts to play through it proved ineffective. Thankfully, tests revealed that his Tommy John surgery ligament was intact, allowing him to recover adequately. Although he is cleared for hitting, Judge will initially be limited to designated hitter (DH) duties as he begins a throwing program.
The Yankees had a mixed performance in Judge’s absence, winning four of the first six games before succumbing to a troubling four-game losing streak. This included a painful walk-off loss to the Texas Rangers and a disappointing defeat against the Miami Marlins, where the team’s recent trade acquisitions faltered.
The return of Judge complicates the Yankees’ lineup dynamics. Outfielder Austin Slater was placed on the injured list due to a hamstring issue, making room for Judge’s return. Giancarlo Stanton has been thriving as a full-time DH, boasting strong statistics since his return from injury in June. Yet with Judge returning to DH duties, discussions have arisen about potentially fielding Stanton in right field to keep both players’ bats in the lineup—a notable strategy given the small dimensions of Yankee Stadium.
However, while Judge will undoubtedly bolster the Yankees’ offense, the team’s recent struggles stem more from pitching issues than hitting. The Yankees rank poorly in run prevention, allowing at least six runs in numerous recent games. Despite scoring an impressive 5.45 runs per game, the pitching staff has struggled, leading to worrying losses. These statistics underscore the need for improved pitching to complement the powerful offense.
On a positive note, Judge’s stellar performance this season—leading the league in several key batting categories—has kept him at the forefront of the MVP conversation. His continued success and leadership could be the spark the Yankees need to turn their season around, especially as they aim for a playoff spot.
With a significant amount of season remaining, the Yankees have time to recalibrate if they can merge Judge’s offensive prowess with improvements on the pitching front, fostering hope for a turnaround in the standings.