Aaron Judge’s Return to the Yankees: A September Ramp-Up
The New York Yankees completed a three-game sweep over the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night at Yankee Stadium, but the spotlight remained on superstar outfielder Aaron Judge, who sat out the game as he continues his ramp-up after returning from the injured list. Judge, the back-to-back MVP, has been carefully managed since going on the IL with a stress fracture in his first right rib on June 5. His return has been highly anticipated, and the Yankees are taking a cautious approach to ensure he remains healthy for the stretch run.
Judge’s comeback has been marked by encouraging signs. On Friday afternoon at Petco Park in San Diego, he took on-field batting practice in front of fans and reporters for the first time since his IL stint. The session was a significant step in his progression. In game action, Judge has shown flashes of his elite form. On Monday, he went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in an 8-3 victory against Minnesota. Although he was hitless with two strikeouts through his first three plate appearances, he rescued his stat line by clobbering a 415-foot, three-run homer to left field in the eighth inning. It was his first long ball in his sixth game since returning in September, and his first homer since late May.
While Judge’s return is a boon for the Yankees, the team is also monitoring other injury situations. Ryan Weathers has only just begun his throwing program, and Clarke Schmidt remains on a rehab assignment with the Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Considering how the 2026 MLB season has gone for the Yankees on the medical front, these issues should be the least of their concerns, but they remain important decisions nonetheless. The Yankees’ handling of Judge’s workload will be crucial as they aim for postseason success.
As the season winds down, all eyes will be on Judge to see if he can regain his MVP form and lead the Yankees deep into October. His presence in the lineup transforms the team, and his gradual ramp-up suggests the Yankees are prioritizing his long-term health over short-term gains. With the playoffs approaching, Judge’s bat could be the difference-maker in the Bronx.
Shimanta Das 
