New York Yankees star Aaron Judge makes comeback in outfield after absence since July, as intense AL East competition flares against Toronto Blue Jays.

Aaron Judge Set to Return to Field for Yankees

New York Yankees star outfielder Aaron Judge is set to make a long-awaited return to the field this Friday, marking his first field appearance since July 25. The news comes as a relief to Yankees fans, who have been eagerly anticipating Judge's return following a flexor strain in his throwing arm.

Judge has been limited to designated hitter duty since his return from the injured list on Aug. 5. Over the last few weeks, he has been on a throwing program that gradually increased from playing catch at short distances to throwing to the bases. However, his throwing was compromised when he tried to play the field on July 25, leading to his placement on the injured list the next day.

Despite being limited since his return, Judge has been very good. He has a batting average of .242, an on-base percentage of .415, and a slugging percentage of .474 with six home runs in 27 games. However, his performance has not been as dominant as before the flexor strain, when he was hitting .342 with a .449 on-base percentage and a .711 slugging percentage and had smashed 37 home runs in 103 games.

Judge still leads baseball in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage, a testament to his incredible talent.

Meanwhile, the Yankees are currently holding the top wild card spot with a 78-62 record. They are three games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East and will host the Blue Jays for three games at Yankee Stadium this weekend.

Opposing teams will undoubtedly challenge Judge and make him prove that his arm, which is typically above-average, is up to the task. Judge's defensive abilities may be a liability due to his lack of speed, but his bat more than makes up for it.

Giancarlo Stanton, who has been filling in for Judge in the outfield, played the outfield for the first time since September 2023, playing 14 games in right field and three in left. Stanton has a batting average of .283, an on-base percentage of .362, and a slugging percentage of .609 with 18 home runs in 58 games this season.

With Judge set to return to the field, the Yankees will have a formidable lineup to face the Blue Jays. The Yankees manager for the series against the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium over the weekend was not explicitly mentioned in the search results, but given that John Schneider manages the Blue Jays, it is likely that Aaron Boone, who has been the Yankees manager since 2018, will be at the helm.

Judge spent the minimum 10 days on the injured list and will undoubtedly be eager to make an impact in his first game back in the field. Yankees fans will be hoping that Judge's return will help propel the team to a playoff spot and a potential World Series victory.

New York Yankees star Aaron Judge makes comeback in outfield after absence since July, as intense AL East competition flares against Toronto Blue Jays.