'He's back in New York': Yankees can now picture Aaron Judge in their lineup this weekend

NEW YORK – Next stop, it’s Baltimore.

And the Yankees can now picture Aaron Judge in their lineup at Camden Yards, in a long-awaited and desperately needed mid-summer reunion.

As the Yankees hung on for a 3-1 win over the Mets on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium, splitting the four-game Subway Series for 2023, their irreplaceable slugging captain returned from two days of workouts at Tampa, Fla.

"He's back in New York,'' said manager Aaron Boone, adding that Judge's status would be evaluated Thursday, a team off day ahead of Friday night's series opener against the AL East-leading Orioles.

Though the manager was vague about whether Friday's game was in play for Judge's return, “I wouldn’t rule anything out,'' Boone said earlier Wednesday.

Aaron Judge's big weekend ahead

Winners of four of their last five games, the Yankees (54-48) have a unique chance to sustain momentum with Judge's name on a lineup card and any further additions before Tuesday's trade deadline.

"We're getting the big guy back. Really excited,'' said Isiah Kiner-Falefa. "Just his presence when he's here... is huge.

"To have him back in the lineup... I think guys are going to be a little more confident. He brings energy and really sets a tone, so we're excited.''

"He's arguably the best player in the game,'' Carlos Rodon said Wednesday of Judge, after Rodon won his first game as a Yankee. "It's going to be nice to have (him) back.''

Judge's first workout session Tuesday at Tampa consisted of about five plate appearances, which included a Judge home run, along with outfield play and baserunning. He was to ramp that up more on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Yankees have posted a 19-23 record since Judge landed on the IL on June 4, having suffered a sprained right big toe (torn ligament) while crashing into the Dodger Stadium wall to make a game-saving catch.

Judge has said he anticipates having to manage through the pain of his injury for the balance of the season, and that he might require offseason surgery.

'Welcome to New York' for Carlos Rodon

Maybe it couldn't get much worse for Carlos Rodon, whose first three Yankees starts resulted in three losses, a 7.36 ERA, and a silly gesture that made you wonder if the pressure was getting to him.

And it happened in Anaheim, of all places, in his last start.

That's when Rodon blew a kiss toward the stands near the visiting dugout, after another rough inning, in another short outing.

But Rodon rebounded Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium, limiting the Mets to one run on four hits over 5.2 innings.

Rodon attempted to plead his case when Boone arrived at the mound in the sixth, but the lefty exited to cheers and watched Michael King strand a runner at first to end the inning.

"I just want to build off this,'' said Rodon, whose energetic and fiery nature was on display during his 93-pitch outing.

And yes, he wanted the fans on his side.

"(That) part, I feel like it’s always important, right?'' Rodon said of sort of reintroducing himself as an important part of the rotation, in front of a sellout crowd. "You always want to show what you're capable of.''

It was just Rodon's fourth start as a Yankee since signing that hefty, six-year, $162 million free-agent contract, with his pinstriped debut delayed by forearm and back issues.

Kiner-Falefa called it "a big welcome to New York moment'' for Rodon, while Boone acknowledged that "it's not been an easy road'' since spring training.

"(Rodon) knows he was brought here to be a big part of this team and it took longer for him to get back than he would have liked,'' said Boone. "And I think that ate at him a lot.''

Gleyber Torres extended his career-best consecutive hitting streak to 15 games, while No. 9 hitter Oswald Peraza (RBI fielder's choice) and leadoff man Kiner-Falefa (sac fly) gave the Yanks a 2-0 lead in the second off lefty Jose Quintana.

IKF became the ninth different Yankee to bat leadoff this season.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Aaron Judge injury update: Yankees captain may return vs. Baltimore Orioles