Aaron Judge injury: Will Yankees captain be ready to return this weekend in Baltimore?
NEW YORK -- Aaron Judge transferred his rehab to Tampa, Fla., and the Yankees' irreplaceable slugging captain appears to be gathering momentum toward his much-anticipated return.
As with anything related to Judge's right big toe sprain, there is still a bit of mystery, though.
Might Judge be ready to return to the Yankees’ lineup by this weekend at Baltimore?
“I wouldn’t rule anything out,’’ said manager Aaron Boone. “We’re day to day right now.’’
Judge took some simulated at-bats, played five innings in the outfield and ran the bases.
He’ll add some more volume in a similar scheduled day of work Wednesday, including batting – again – off Yankees teammate Jonathan Loaisiga (bone spur, elbow) before the right-hander begins a rehab assignment Saturday.
Judge might not be headed for a minor league rehab assignment, as the Yankees test his right big toe (torn ligament) in a controlled setting.
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“We’re seeing how this goes, see if we can kind of script things, making sure he’s getting a lot of at-bats,’’ said Boone said prior to the Yankees' 9-3 loss to the Mets in the first of two Subway Series games.
Judge has been sidelined since June 3, when he contacted the concrete base of Dodger Stadium's right field wall in making a game-saving catch.
And he still leads the Yankees with 19 home runs, plus they miss his superb outfield defense - as evidenced by more shaky corner outfield play in Tuesday night's loss to the Mets.
As to Judge’s overall progress, Boone said it seemed like Tuesday was a positive day.
“We’ll see how it goes (Wednesday) and I think we’re leaving everything on the table,’’ Boone said as far as continuing his rehab at Tampa, sending him on a rehab assignment, or green lighting him.
“He’ll let us know what he can and can’t handle.’’
Judge has said he won’t be pain free this season, and he might require offseason surgery.
“It’s going to be (about) how does he tolerate moving around the field, moving around the bases, having those at-bats where you have to hold your swing, things like that,’’ Boone said.
The manager is hoping Judge will be an outfield option right away, though some increased DH days, early on, should be expected.
“(He) keeps moving in a good direction, and the fact that we’re at this point is a positive,’’ said Boone, adding that Judge has to “build up from a workload standpoint.
“This is all part of building him up.’’
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Aaron Judge injury news: Will Yankees captain return vs. Baltimore?
