New York—Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge’s ongoing elbow issues have become a significant concern, affecting his ability to contribute fully on the field. The discomfort first arose during a visit to Toronto and became evident shortly after the All-Star break when Judge struggled in a lopsided loss against the Philadelphia Phillies. Following the game, he was placed on the injured list due to a right flexor strain in his elbow; fortunately, medical examinations showed no tear.
While the strain required Judge to spend some time on the sidelines, it left an unclear timeline for his return to regular defensive duties. After weeks of measured progress, he returned to throwing drills on August 24, performing light tosses to bases for the first time since his injury. Although these sessions were brief and not vigorous, they marked a step forward in his recovery.
In his first game back in the outfield, the Yankees faced off against the Blue Jays. Judge appeared cautious, catching two fly balls but not throwing at full capacity, warming up with a bullpen catcher at a short distance. His limitations became clear when he was tested on a hit by Nathan Lukes. Rather than making a strong throw home, Judge delivered a lackluster 67.9 mph toss, allowing a runner to score without contest.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider acknowledged the uncertainty around Judge’s usual strong arm, which typically influences base-running decisions. “Going into it I know it’s his first game back in the outfield and there was a little bit of unknown with how he was going to respond,” Schneider noted. Concerns about Judge’s arm could influence how teams approach scoring situations moving forward.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone remained vague when discussing Judge’s condition, stating that they were managing him carefully. Judge, on his part, indicated a mindset of deferring to the cutoff man during plays, saying, “Get it in. Get it to the cutoff man. Let him do his thing.” Such remarks hinted at a cautious strategy as they sought to handle his limitations while navigating a tough part of their schedule.
The Yankees, who are fighting for playoff positioning, are balancing the use of Judge and other players, such as Giancarlo Stanton, who is also limited defensively. Stanton has performed well offensively, but his ability to play outfield regularly is in question. As the Yankees tackle a challenging streak of games against playoff contenders, they face critical decisions regarding their lineup.
Judge’s recovery timeline remains uncertain, complicating the Yankees’ strategies as they aim for a strong finish in the AL East. The organization is likely to continue closely monitoring his condition and may opt for creative defensive alignments in the meantime.
In contrast, Cody Bellinger showcased his defensive prowess by delivering a remarkable 95.3 mph throw from right field during the same game, demonstrating the kind of arm strength that Judge is currently lacking. Bellinger’s defensive highlights throughout the year underscore the depth of talent on the Yankees’ roster.
Until there is clearer information on Judge’s situation, the Yankees must continue making adjustments and weighing their options as they strive for a playoff berth.
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