Aaron Judge is ready to return to the Yankees on Tuesday.
Speaking to a small group of reporters prior to going though his standard pregame routine Monday, Judge (hip strain) said he was “Ready to go.”
Manager Aaron Boone later confirmed the expected activation, and said that Judge would have no restrictions on him upon his return.
“MVP back,” Boone said. “It will be fun to write his name in the lineup. There’s just that presence he has and being one of our leaders. Guys look at him. I think there is a tangible element to him being back in there … but I think there is also an intangible element that he brings.”
The Yankees see potential in it Jake Bauers‘ bat and like Oswaldo Cabrera‘s defensive versatility, leading one to wonder if Aaron Hicks‘ roster spot will be in jeopardy when the team activates Judge.
Judge suffered the injury sliding into third base on April 26. He left the game the following day, then tried to avoid a stint on the Injured List. After much discussion, the team placed Judge on the IL and expressed optimism that he would be ready to return when eligible.
Judge said that the pain went away about five days ago.
“I’m feeling good,” he said. “I’m glad it’s over with and excited to get back to this team.”
Last year’s American League MVP, Judge has an .863 OPS and six home runs in 26 games this year. The Yankees have lost six of nine games since Judge hit the IL.