ARLINGTON, Texas — For the first time in nearly two weeks, Aaron Judge picked up a baseball and threw it. The New York Yankees slugger resumed a throwing program Wednesday, just one day after being activated from the injured list. Judge, recovering from a right elbow flexor strain, played catch with Giancarlo Stanton at Globe Life Field ahead of the team’s 3-2 win over the Texas Rangers.
“Felt good. Normal throwing,” Judge told reporters. “It’s obviously sore. You got a flexor strain, it’s like [a hamstring] — you run for the first time on a hammy, it’s going to be sore. But it didn’t feel like what it did when I hurt it.”
Judge originally injured the elbow making a throw during a July 22 game in Toronto. After attempting to play through it, he was diagnosed with the strain and placed on the 10-day injured list. Though back in the Yankees’ lineup now, he is limited to designated hitter duties until further notice.
Manager Aaron Boone said the club is monitoring Judge’s response to low-intensity throwing sessions, gradually increasing distance and intensity over the next several days. “You listen to the arm,” Boone said. “Sixty to 90 feet… then what kind of intensity can he do?”
Judge confirmed he’ll continue with light throwing and monitor the pain. While optimistic, he’s unsure how long the recovery timeline might stretch.
“We’ll see,” Judge said. “I’ve never had this. It’d be easier if I had a quad or a hammy or an oblique and I could give you guys a better estimate about what we got.”
Stanton could return to the outfield as Yankees juggle lineup
AP
With Judge sidelined from defensive duties, the Yankees are considering a return to right field for Giancarlo Stanton, something that hasn’t happened in nearly two years.
Stanton has been taking pregame reps in the outfield and could be an option during the team’s upcoming series against the Houston Astros. Boone noted that the turf at Globe Life Field contributed to the decision not to test Stanton’s legs in Texas. But the situation may change back home.
“You’re trying to weigh that, trying to get a feel from Big G,” Boone said. “Looks like we do have a couple lefties with Houston, and with [Austin] Slater going down, there’s probably an avenue to get him out there.”
Stanton has been red-hot at the plate recently, hitting .301 with nine home runs and 21 RBI over his last 21 games. But his bat has been benched since Judge’s return Tuesday. The Yankees want both in the lineup, but only one can DH.
“Hopefully I get out there because we need all the big boys in the lineup,” Judge said after going 0-for-3 in Tuesday’s loss.
Whether Stanton’s body holds up after years of limited mobility remains to be seen. He last played the outfield in 2023 and has mostly served as DH since 2020.
Boone is still evaluating the risk. “What we’re going through as a club right now, obviously you want him in there,” Boone said. “But he also hasn’t been out there and there’s an element to that… not only from what kind of ground he’s going to be covering, but also the long-term health.”
Cruz and Yarbrough trending upward in rehab
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Beyond Judge’s situation, the Yankees continue monitoring the recovery of two key pitchers dealing with oblique strains.
Right-handed reliever Fernando Cruz, on the injured list since June 30 with a left oblique strain, has progressed in his throwing program. Cruz’s recovery is trending in the direction, according to Boone, and he may play a role down the stretch.
Cruz threw his second bullpen session in four days Monday, which went “really good,” according to Boone. He is expected to throw another bullpen session in the coming days before potentially progressing to live batting practice.
Left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough faces a longer timeline. Yarbrough was placed on the IL with an oblique strain back in June and has not yet thrown from a mound since beginning his throwing program on July 9.
The Yankees remain uncertain whether Yarbrough will return as a starter or reliever upon his activation. The Yankees may permanently move him to the bullpen upon his return, as they are likely to acquire a starting pitcher at the deadline and thus wouldn’t have an open spot for the eight-year veteran in their rotation.
The final decision will depend on rotation health and how rookie Cam Schlittler continues to perform. Schlittler has made three starts since his promotion last month, and the Yankees are still gauging his reliability.
“We’ll be 10 days out from this and decide: Do we want to keep pushing him to 50 pitches, or do we just take him on the active roster at that point?” Boone added.
Key decisions ahead as Yankees fight for stability
The Yankees’ injury picture is improving, but the timing of each player’s return could significantly impact how the team sets its roster over the next two weeks.
Aaron Judge’s health remains at the center of everything. His ability to return to the field would allow Stanton to reclaim the DH spot permanently, maximizing offensive potential without sacrificing defensive range.
Cruz and Yarbrough returning would strengthen a bullpen that has logged heavy innings, especially after recent short outings from the rotation. Their activation could allow Boone to mix and match more effectively in tight games.
The Yankees have dropped five of their last six and are still clinging to a Wild Card position. With a pivotal series against the Astros on the horizon, every available contributor will matter.
