Judge, 26, has not played in a game since July 26 when he was hit by a pitch on the right wrist by Royals pitcher Jakob Junis, resulting in a chip fracture.
The 6-foot-7 slugger will initially be limited to just base running and defense, Aaron Boone told the media on Friday, as the reigning AL Rookie of the Year continues to build up strength in the recovering wrist.
Boone did not identify a specific day when Judge might return to the lineup, saying that that decision was still days away. Jack Curry predicts it could be another week before Judge is "a full-time player" again.
In 99 games this season, No. 99 has slashed .285/.398/.548 with 26 home runs and 61 RBIs, thoroughly putting to bed any concerns of a sophomore slump in his second full season in the Majors.
The importance of Judge's presence in the Yankees lineup cannot be overstated, as he serves as both a prolific power source in the heart of the lineup and a respected team leader in the clubhouse.
Since Judge's DL stint began, the Yankees have gone 25-20 while watching the Red Sox run away with the AL East and the Oakland A's creep up in the Wild Card standings, but the return of Judge for the remaining 16 games of the regular season - even in limited fashion - will surely be a major boost for a club that's maintained championship expectations from the get-go.
The Yankees will kick off their final homestand of the season Friday night as they host the Toronto Blue Jays, and even though Judge won't be starting in right field, it's only a matter of time before he's back on the field and back in the lineup for the Bronx Bombers.
Stay tuned to YES Network for all the latest news and developments on Judge's return and the Yankees' chase for a 28th World Series title.
