The New York Yankees keep offering assurances, and Aaron Boone made the latest one clear: Aaron Judge will return to right field. The timing, though, remains uncertain.
The Yankees captain has spent weeks limited to designated hitter duty after suffering a right flexor strain in late July. That injury forced the team to reshuffle its outfield, pushing Giancarlo Stanton into an everyday defensive role while Judge anchored the lineup only with his bat.
Now, Boone continues to back the idea that a defensive return is imminent.
Boone’s Confidence Without a Date
Speaking to reporters before the Yankees’ series against the Houston Astros, Boone didn’t hedge.
“We absolutely feel like he’s going to be back out there,” Boone said, repeating the same line he’s delivered for weeks. “I wholeheartedly feel that way right now. I don’t know that day yet.”
Judge has ramped up his pregame throwing program with long toss and outfield drills. Boone noted the decision could “just happen out of the blue,” meaning the return may arrive suddenly once Judge and the training staff feel aligned.
The Yankees’ careful approach follows earlier controversy. In early August, Boone suggested Judge might not return to the outfield at all this season. Judge quickly pushed back, telling reporters he felt good about his recovery and didn’t understand why Boone downplayed his timeline. Boone has since shifted to a more optimistic tone, though the club still avoids committing to a specific date.
Stanton Carrying the Load, September Urgency
While Judge works back toward the grass, Stanton has carried the load. Once considered a defensive liability, Stanton has returned to the outfield with surprising success. Not only has he stayed healthy, but he has also delivered one of the hottest stretches of his Yankees career. Over his last 30 games, Stanton is hitting .304 with a .373 on-base percentage and a .728 slugging percentage.
Against Houston, Stanton even started in left field for the first time since 2023, covering the Crawford Boxes corner in Daikin Park. Boone explained that the short left field made it a simpler assignment, and Stanton had no hesitation about moving over. “He didn’t think it’d be any big deal,” Boone said.
The move has allowed Boone to juggle both sluggers in the lineup without overexposing Stanton in right. Once Judge receives full clearance, the Yankees can return to their preferred alignment: Judge in right, Stanton rotating between DH and the outfield, and the roster regaining defensive flexibility.
The Yankees don’t just need Judge’s bat—they need his presence in the field. With September shaping up as a decisive month in the playoff race, every marginal improvement matters. Judge’s outfield defense, his arm strength, and his ability to change the game beyond his home run swing give New York an edge it hasn’t had since late July.
Boone is right about one thing: the return will likely arrive without fanfare. For now, Yankees fans can read between the lines, watch Judge’s pregame throwing sessions, and wait for the moment their captain jogs back to right field.
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