New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge will likely return to right field on Monday in the series opener vs. the Minnesota Twins at Target Field, per Bryan Hoch on X. Giancarlo Stanton will serve as the designated hitter.
The two-time American League MVP has played exclusively at DH this weekend against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park after returning to right field on Sept. 5 for the first time since sustaining a right flexor strain, which sidelined him on defense for more than six weeks.
But Judge didn’t miss a step on the offensive end during his injury. He’s still the heavy favorite to win his third AL MVP award, slashing .325/.447/.673 with 47 home runs and 101 RBI.
Aaron Judge will likely return to right field tomorrow in Minnesota, Aaron Boone said. Giancarlo Stanton will DH.
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Judge likely to return to right field on Monday
Judge has made four appearances in right field since returning on defense, most recently on Thursday vs. the Detroit Tigers. But in his first game back vs. the Toronto Blue Jays on Sept. 5, Judge immediately drew concerns when he didn’t challenge a runner at the plate in the first inning.
Instead, he flipped the ball to second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. following Nathan Lukes’ two-run single. But Judge insisted that his arm is fine, saying: “Everything is feeling pretty good, so if you can throw, you’ve got to get out there,” per Hoch.
On July 22, Judge was shown on television grimacing after a throw against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Three days later, he played in the outfield for the last time before his return this month.
Per Hoch, Boone said he’ll be cautious with Judge in the field and isn’t expecting to play him there every day. That means Stanton will get more chances to play in the outfield, just like this weekend at Boston.
The Yankees face Minnesota tomorrow at 7:40 p.m. ET.
