NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees never publicly established a target date for Aaron Judge's return to right field after he sustained a right flexor strain in late July. For weeks, manager Aaron Boone said he expected Judge to patrol grass again soon -- and definitely again in 2025 -- but never offered specifics.
Soon ended up being Friday.
Judge will start in right field when the Yankees open a crucial series against the first-place Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, marking the first time he'll patrol grass since July 25.
"Excited to get him back out there," Boone said. "Obviously, what he brings to the table for us as an athlete out there and hopefully he throws well and he continues to build up as we go."
Judge was placed on the injured list on July 27. He was activated after the minimum 10 days to serve as the Yankees' everyday designated hitter and started a throwing program soon thereafter. He batted .242 with six home runs and an .888 OPS in the 27 games at DH after being reinstated and remains the favorite to win his third AL MVP in four seasons with Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh challenging him for the crown.
"It's just been a buildup and seeing how it responds," Boone said. "Some days he responded better than others and he's put together a few good ones in a row now."
Judge's move back to the outfield allows the Yankees to shift Giancarlo Stanton to his usual role as designated hitter -- at least occasionally. Boone said the 33-year-old Judge won't play right field every day "initially." Instead, he envisions Judge splitting time between right field and designated hitter, meaning Stanton will continue getting starts on defense to have both his and Judge's bats in the lineup.
The decision comes with risks ranging from opponents testing Judge's arm, potentially capitalizing on any reluctance to fire away, to Judge exacerbating the injury and jeopardizing his availability for the remainder of the season.
The Yankees are willing to make the gamble because Stanton remains an elite power hitter but, at this point in his career, he cannot play the outfield everyday and is a defensive liability when he's out there. Once a plus outfielder, nagging injuries in recent years have forced Stanton to miss substantial time and sapped his athleticism. The combination prompted the Yankees to build their roster with Stanton as their everyday DH.
Stanton, 35, returned to the outfield on Aug. 9, nearly two years after last playing defense. He started 12 games in right field before making three consecutive starts in left field against the Houston Astros this week.
The former NL MVP is batting .283 with 18 home runs and a .971 OPS in 58 games after spending more than two months on the injured list with tendon injuries in both of his elbows to begin the season. .
"There were days where we pushed it a little bit," Boone said. "There were other days [where] we're going to be disciplined [in] having a day down. So, and I think all and all, it's gone pretty well. Obviously, he's performed. I think he's done a nice job out there and now it gives us that added flexibility now that he's in the mix out there moving forward."