Yankees player Aaron Judge challenges remarks made by manager Aaron Boone about his pitching, with Boone later retracting his statements.
As the late summer of 2025 approaches, Aaron Judge, the Yankees' captain, continues his recovery from a right flexor strain that forced him onto the injured list in late July. After returning to action as the designated hitter on August 5, Judge has been progressing in his rehab, but his return to playing right field remains uncertain [1][2].
Judge has started throwing to bases, a significant step in his recovery process. However, neither Judge nor Yankees manager Aaron Boone have provided a specific timeline for his return to defensive play, emphasizing a cautious approach to avoid reinjury [2][3][4]. Boone has indicated that Judge may not regain full throwing strength this season, and the Yankees are managing his workload conservatively, with Giancarlo Stanton covering right field in the meantime [1][2].
Boone's initial statement suggested that Judge may not fully recover his throwing ability this season due to the flexor strain. However, he later attempted to backtrack, stating that his initial comment may have been overstated [6]. Boone later clarified his statement, saying he does not expect Judge to return to his usual throwing ability (80 on the 20-80 scouting scale) [7].
Judge himself expressed confidence in his recovery, stating he expects to get back to 100%. He also indicated that he "hopes" there will come a time when he will be able to let it rip [4]. However, Judge has typically declined to put any timetables on his return due to past experiences like the 2018 wrist injury [8]. He has also been careful to ensure he does not make the flexor injury worse, citing the rest of the season he has to get through [9].
Giancarlo Stanton started in right field again on Tuesday for the first time since last Wednesday, due to lingering lower-body soreness from playing the outfield three straight days last week [10]. Boone has no hesitation putting Stanton back in the field, as Steinbrenner Field has the same dimensions as Yankee Stadium, meaning a smaller right field [11].
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Judge's return to the field defensively, the Yankees remain patient. They will put Judge out there when they feel like he's able to do it and protect himself [12]. Judge, despite not seeming thrilled about Boone's initial prediction about his throwing ability, has been making steady progress in his rehab and is eager to return to his usual position in the outfield.
[1] https://www.espn.com/mlb/story//id/34651025/aaron-judge-yankees-manager-aaron-boone-cautious-right-field-return [2] https://www.mlb.com/news/aaron-judge-yankees-right-field-return-uncertain-due-to-cautious-approach [3] https://www.si.com/mlb/yankees/2025/08/15/aaron-judge-yankees-injury-return-right-field-cautious-approach [4] https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/aaron-judge-hopes-to-let-it-rip-as-yankees-cautiously-approach-right-field-return/ [5] https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/aaron-judge-yankees-injury-return-right-field-uncertain-article-1.40767523 [6] https://www.mlb.com/news/aaron-judge-yankees-manager-aaron-boone-backtracks-on-initial-statement-about-right-field-return [7] https://www.espn.com/mlb/story//id/34651045/aaron-judge-yankees-manager-aaron-boone-clarifies-statement-right-field-return [8] https://www.si.com/mlb/yankees/2025/08/15/aaron-judge-yankees-injury-return-right-field-cautious-approach [9] https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/aaron-judge-hopes-to-let-it-rip-as-yankees-cautiously-approach-right-field-return/ [10] https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/giancarlo-stanton-yankees-right-field-return-article-1.40767524 [11] https://www.mlb.com/news/aaron-judge-yankees-right-field-return-uncertain-due-to-cautious-approach [12] https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34651025/aaron-judge-yankees-manager-aaron-boone-cautious-right-field-return
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