Yankees' star player Aaron Judge resumes batting duties as a designated hitter, with the team seeking updates on his throwing arm's condition.
Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees' star outfielder, made a much-anticipated return to the lineup on August 6, 2025, as the designated hitter (DH) after a 10-day stint on the injured list due to a flexor tendon strain in his right elbow. The team is being cautious about his recovery, with no confirmed date for his return to the outfield[1][2][3].
Judge began his throwing program on Wednesday, August 7, 2025, and described his throwing as "normal" but acknowledged soreness, typical of injury recovery[1][2][3]. The timeline for full defensive return remains uncertain and will depend on how the throwing program progresses over the initial days and weeks.
The Yankees, who were in first place to start July, have struggled recently, losing four games in a row and falling to third place in the AL East behind Toronto and Boston. As of Tuesday, they were 5 1/2 games behind the Blue Jays, currently holding a wild-card spot 2 1/2 games behind the Red Sox[4].
Giancarlo Stanton was displaced from the designated hitter spot by Judge's return. Judge entered Tuesday's game hitting .342 and was fourth in the majors with 37 homers and fifth with 85 RBIs[4].
Meanwhile, manager Aaron Boone believes that the struggles of Mike Bird, who has allowed seven runs in his first three appearances with the Yankees, present an opportunity for a reset[4]. To address the pitching staff, the Yankees have recalled Yerry de los Santos from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and designated JT Brubaker for assignment.
In other roster moves, the Yankees have acquired Austin Slater from the Chicago White Sox. However, Slater has been placed on the injured list with a left hamstring strain. Mark Leiter Jr., who has been out with a stress fracture in his leg, has been activated from the injured list.
Judge is batting third in the middle game of a three-game series against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night[4]. The team will closely monitor Judge's progress and make decisions regarding his defensive return in the coming days and weeks.
[1] [Link to source 1] [2] [Link to source 2] [3] [Link to source 3] [4] [Link to source 4]
Toronto's Blue Jays led the AL East division as Aaron Judge, recently returned from injury, was batting third for the New York Yankees in a three-game series against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night. With Judge's comeback, the Yankees are seeking a boost in their MLB season, currently 5 1/2 games behind the Blue Jays in the race for the wild card.
