Aaron Judge Returns to Right Field but Faces Questions on His Throwing Arm
Aaron Judge is back in right field for the Yankees, and that alone is big news. After being sidelined for more than six weeks with a right flexor strain, the captain finally got the green light from the training staff to return defensively. Fans had been waiting to see him back where he belongs, and Friday night at Yankee Stadium was the moment. But the return didn’t come without fresh concerns.
Judge was tested almost immediately. In the first inning against the Blue Jays, Nathan Lukes lined a two-run single, and Judge had a chance to make a play at the plate. Instead of letting it fly, he opted for the safe throw, hitting second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. rather than challenging the runner. Daulton Varsho scored uncontested, and it was clear Judge wasn’t quite cutting loose with his arm yet.
When asked afterward, Judge insisted he could still make the necessary plays. He said everything was feeling pretty good and that if you can throw, you’ve got to get out there. Blue Jays manager John Schneider admitted that Toronto wanted to test him, knowing it was his first game back in the outfield. It worked in their favor.
Also Read:The Yankees ended up losing 7–1, with rookie pitcher Cam Schlittler knocked out early after throwing 66 pitches in less than two innings. Giancarlo Stanton provided the lone bright spot with a second-inning solo home run, his 19th of the season and the 448th of his career, but that was about it for New York’s offense.
Judge’s defensive night didn’t get much easier. In the fifth inning, a popup by Bo Bichette dropped between Judge and Chisholm due to miscommunication. Judge immediately took the blame, saying he should have taken charge on that play.
Manager Aaron Boone tried to strike a balance afterward, making it clear that Judge was healthy enough to be in the lineup, but also hinting that the team would be cautious. Boone suggested Judge wouldn’t be playing the outfield every day right away, leaving room for Stanton to get more defensive starts. Judge, meanwhile, expressed that he hopes to play as much as possible.
Even with the throwing questions, Judge’s bat has been as strong as ever. He’s hitting .322 with 43 home runs and 97 RBIs, numbers that have him in the thick of the MVP race once again. But both Judge and Boone admitted that his arm might not be at full strength the rest of the year, comparing it to a runner working back from a hamstring injury — you ease into it, you don’t go all out right away.
In the end, Friday night served as both a milestone and a reminder. Aaron Judge is back where fans want him, anchoring right field. But his throws and his confidence with that arm will be watched closely down the stretch, especially as the Yankees fight for playoff position.
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