“I do feel that we’re finding our stride offensively,” Boone said during his press conference. “Obviously we’re a lot more whole now with getting not only Aaron but, a couple of other guys back in the mix. . . We need to keep that going but, it does feel that we’re building to a good place offensively.”

The Pinstripes continue to push toward their goal of winning the AL East with the MLB regular season nearing its conclusion. Can they finally overtake the Tampa Bay Rays and claim the top spot in the division?

Judge leads the way in Subway Series opener

Aaron Judge set the tone right from the start in the Subway Series opener, putting constant pressure on the New York Mets’ pitching staff by going 1-for-3 with a walk. He sparked the offense early in the 1st inning by getting on base to set up Spencer Jones’ RBI single that got the scoring started.

While Cody Bellinger and Ben Rice brought the power with crucial home runs, Judge’s disciplined presence at the plate and calm leadership on the field kept the Yankees centered, ultimately steering the team to a solid 6-4 win.

On the charge for the AL East

As Aaron Boone‘s squad heads into the home stretch starting September 12th, they’ve got a crucial stretch ahead with three big series lined up against the Mets, Minnesota Twins, and Arizona Diamondbacks. Sitting in second place in the AL East with an 85-62 record, the Yankees have just 15 games left in the regular season to make their move.

Catching the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays—who currently sit three games ahead at 88-59—is definitely doable, but it’s going to take a red-hot run and a little help along the way, especially with a massive four-game showdown against Tampa Bay right around the corner.

The Bronx Bombers might be sending out mixed signals as of late. Recently, Boone hinted the Yankees would be saving Judge for the Mets series, but his latest comments now suggest that while he will play, he may not complete all games in the series.

“Asked if Aaron Judge will play all three games against the Mets, Aaron Boone said ‘we’ll see’,” NY Daily News’ Gary Phillips reported.

Judge may not be on board

Considering Judge was unhappy with Boone pulling him from the game in his first game back against the Colorado Rockies, he likely won’t be thrilled to learn he may not play in all three games against the cross-town rivals.

Plus, Judge may want to redeem himself against the Orange and Blue, so he won’t want to give up any possible chance to do so. So far this year, he hasn’t done great against the Mets, and he was hoping he could change that during the emotional three-game series that will start on Sept. 11 at Yankee Stadium.

Judge’s numbers against Mets in 2026

During his first three games against New York in the 2026 MLB season, Judge went 3-for-12 with two runs scored, two walks, and three strikeouts. His batting average (.250) is not what’s bothering him, but his OPS.

Judge has put up a .690 OPS, which is his fifth-lowest against any team in 2026. Clearly, he has some unfinished business with the Orange and Blue, but he might only have so many opportunities to settle the score.

NY Yankees’ pulse won’t tremble

Regardless, that’s the least of the concerns for Boone and the Yankees. They have bigger fish to fry and can’t risk putting Judge at risk just for him to try and settle a personal dispute. Whether he likes the decision or not, it’s not Judge’s to make, and Boone will have the final say.

Volpe gets the start at second base on Thursday, while Judge takes a planned day of rest. By sitting the team captain against Colorado, Boone is prioritizing freshness for the high-stakes cross-town matchup ahead, as it was hinted.

The move aligns with Boone’s hints on Wednesday regarding Judge’s availability against the Mets. At full strength, the slugger remains a lethal weapon against a Mets squad that has struggled to stay afloat late in the regular season.

With Volpe back in the fold, top prospect George Lombard Jr. addressed the roster depth following his first career home run in pinstripes on Wednesday, a moment that underscored the growing confidence inside the clubhouse.

Yankees’ predicted lineup against the Mets

As the Yankees look to keep pace with the Tampa Bay Rays in a tight AL East race, having a rested Judge back in the order will be crucial. Barring any late changes, here is how New York could line up against the Mets:

• DH Ben Rice
• LF Cody Bellinger
• RF Aaron Judge
• 1B Luis Garcia Jr.
• CF Spencer Jones / Jasson Dominguez
• 2B Jose Caballero / Amed Rosario
• SS George Lombard Jr. / Anthony Volpe
• 3B Ryan McMahon
• C Austin Wells
• Probable Starter: Max Fried (LHP)

By giving Judge a breather ahead of the weekend, the Yankees enter the Subway Series positioned to maintain momentum, regardless of where their cross-town rivals sit in the standings.

It won’t change because Judge was unhappy with Boone pulling him in the sixth inning, nor does it change because Boone approved of Judge’s performance in his first game back. The Pinstripers are sticking to the plan, and it might all be so Judge can be fully active when the Yankees host the New York Mets on Sept. 11.

“Boone said that Judge will ‘potentially’ sit [on Thursday],” as reported by Gary Phillips of NY Daily News Sports. “Boone said to “probably” expect a similar innings count for Judge [Wednesday].”

Sitting Thursday could be very telling on Judge’s status

If Judge indeed plays on an innings count on Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies and sits the rubber game on Thursday entirely, then it would all but confirm that New York’s plan was to get Judge’s first full game against the Mets all along.

The Subway Series, set to start on the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks across the United States, was always expected to be the reserved date for Judge’s full-time return from the stress fracture in his first right rib that cost him 99 days on the 60-day injured list (IL). However, nothing is set in stone yet, and Boone was wary of making any commitment to a fixed date.

“We will talk about [Judge’s playing time]. I would say it’s a fluid situation these first several days of playing,” Boone stated during his press conference on Wednesday. “Just trying to get a feel for how he’s looking, feeling, recovering, and responding.”

How did Judge fare in first game back?

Stepping up to the plate at Yankee Stadium for the first time since May 24—a 2-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in which he went 2-for-4 with a homer—every Yankees fan in attendance knew better than to expect to see Judge in midseason form.

Facing pitches from Rockies starter Gabriel Hughes and reliever Mark Manfredi, Judge went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a flyout. He was replaced after the bottom of the sixth inning by Heliot Ramos, who happened to hit a three-run home run to center field in his first and only at-bat.

Still, Judge’s first game back wasn’t about his stats, but rather how he felt in MLB action after a four-month absence. So far, so good, but the Yankees will still take things slow and, by the looks of it, keep saving his best for the upcoming Mets series.

“I thought he looked pretty good. In that first at-bat, I thought he got into a great position—he just barely missed a couple of sliders—but overall, he looked great,” Boone said during his postgame press conference when asked about the team captain’s performance in his return to the lineup.

While Boone would love to feature Judge as much as possible, the team is taking a cautious approach with his recovery. Speaking prior to the game, Boone clarified that Judge will serve in a reduced, part-time role until he returns to 100% health.

With reports suggesting the Yankees are considering Trevor MacGregor to fill their final 40-man roster spot, Boone is focusing his energy on finalizing the October roster that will push for a deep postseason run.

Boone still has work to do

Even with Boone pleased by Judge’s early movement, expectations remain high for the captain to regain his full form ahead of the playoffs. While a hitless return isn’t the ideal stat line, the team remains confident it is only a matter of time before the slugger finds his rhythm at the plate.

Meanwhile, as the Yankees recently made MLB history by securing their 34th consecutive winning season, Boone must navigate how to best utilize Judge’s talent without overexposing him. At the same time, the manager must fine-tune the rest of his lineup to ensure peak performance heading into the fall.

Can the Yankees win the AL East title?

With just 17 games remaining on the schedule, the Yankees must stay hot to keep pace with the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East race. If New York can finish strong against the Rockies, claim the Subway Series against the Mets, and handle business against the Minnesota Twins and Arizona Diamondbacks, the Yankees will set up a crucial, season-defining showdown against Tampa Bay.

With championship expectations surrounding the Bronx, a healthy Aaron Judge back in the lineup provides the exact spark the Yankees need as they chase a World Series title this October.

“We’re the Yankees, we’re going to win. That’s a great streak, but everybody in this room is focused on championships,” Judge told reporters following his return to the roster.

Though he was visibly disappointed after being pulled in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies, Judge’s presence alone provided an undeniable spark during the series opener.

Judge went hitless in his return after skipping a minor league rehab assignment altogether. However, the Yankees remain confident it is only a matter of time before their superstar slugger regains his MVP form.

Highlights from Judge’s return

Bypassing a minor league stint after recovering from a fractured rib, Judge batted third and started in right field. Though he finished 0-for-3 with two strikeouts—swinging under a 93-mph fastball in his first plate appearance and looking at a called third strike in his last—he displayed flashes of his elite approach, including a 95.1-mph flyout to deep right-center field.

Judge’s presence delivered a crucial lift as the Yankees secured a 5-3 victory over Colorado. Operating under a pre-planned workload restriction, he played six solid defensive innings in right field without setback before being replaced by Heliot Ramos, who later delivered a clutch three-run homer in the eighth inning.

What’s next for Judge?

While he logged time in right field and hit third in his return, intrigue surrounds how Boone will deploy Judge moving forward. Boone indicated that Judge could see reps at designated hitter or alternate positions until he is fully cleared for an unrestricted workload.

All eyes remain on Judge for the remainder of the series against the Rockies, with a high-stakes Subway Series matchup against the cross-town New York Mets looming just on the horizon.

“I feel great, I played half a game,” the No. 99 revealed to the media after the game. His frustration over not being able to finish the game kept him from fully appreciating the work his teammates put in to secure the victory at Yankee Stadium.

Judge, who said he was “not happy” with Boone’s decision, praised Heliot Ramos for his performance after entering the game: “That’s where my guy [Heliot] Ramos came in and picked me up and hit a nice little three-run homer there to put the game out.”

The 2026 MLB season is entering a decisive stage, and Judge believes the Yankees have everything it takes to win it all. The question now is whether Boone will give his star more playing time in an effort to make his team even stronger.

Aaron Judge’s numbers in his return to the field

After missing 84 games with a broken rib, Judge finally stepped back onto the diamond against the Rockies, but his bat needed a little time to catch up to speed. Batting third and starting in right field, he went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a flyout before taking an early exit as part of his planned workload management.

While the personal stat line wasn’t exactly explosive, his presence alone gave New York a spark, and the Yanks still managed to lock up a 5-3 win to secure their 34th straight winning season. He might be a bit rusty after the long layoff, but just seeing No.99 back in the lineup is huge for the Bronx Bombers down the stretch.

What’s next for the Yankees?

As the stretch run heats up, the Bronx Bombers sit at 82-62, sitting in second place in the competitive AL East with just 18 games left on the regular season slate. The upcoming stretch kicks off right at Yankee Stadium, where they’re currently wrapping up their series against the Colorado Rockies through September 10th before hosting a cross-town Subway Series clash against the New York Mets from September 11th to 13th.

Immediately after that high-energy home stand, the Yankees head out on the road to Minneapolis for a three-game set against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field from September 14th through the 16th. Every single game counts big time right now as New York looks to secure its spot in October baseball.

In his first game action since going down on May 31, Judge will start in right field and bat third. The move aligns with Boone’s outlined plan to ease the centerpiece of the lineup back into full form ahead of the postseason.

The Yankees revealed their starting card for the series opener on Tuesday, placing designated hitter Ben Rice and left fielder Cody Bellinger ahead of Judge in the order.

As the Yankees await further reinforcement down the stretch—including starter Clarke Schmidt, whom Boone recently provided a key injury update on—the Bronx faithful eagerly awaits Judge’s return with October baseball in sight.

Judge bypasses minor league rehab stint

Judge got his wish ahead of his return: skipping a Triple-A rehab assignment altogether. Boone opted to slot the slugger straight back into the Major League lineup to get his bat going.

With his sights set on leading the Yankees back to the World Series, the upcoming series against the Rockies and the New York Mets will serve as a crucial launchpad for Judge to regain his rhythm.

Judge’s numbers prior to injury

With only a handful of games remaining in the regular season, Judge will look to quickly regain his stride and build momentum for October. Here is a look at his production before going down:

• Games Played (G): 59
• Plate Appearances (PA): 261
• At-Bats (AB): 214
• Batting Average (AVG): .248
• On-Base Percentage (OBP): .375
• Slugging Percentage (SLG): .533
• OPS: .908
• Home Runs (HR): 17
• Runs Batted In (RBI): 38
• Runs Scored (R): 43
• Hits (H): 53
• Stolen Bases (SB): 5
• WAR (Wins Above Replacement): 2.2

As mentioned by Talkin’ Yanks, Boone revealed that Judge will be eased back into action and pulled early from select games before ramping up to full nine-inning workloads. The cautious approach comes after the superstar outfielder missed 100 days away from MLB game action.

Judge’s activation highlights a wave of roster moves for New York as the club gears up for the postseason. His return has set expectations soaring across the Bronx, where fans are desperate to see the team snap a 17-year championship drought.

Between Boone’s updates on Judge and a fresh injury report concerning starter Clarke Schmidt, the Yankees are pushing to get their core healthy in time for October as they hold firm in the American League Wild Card race.

Yankees still holding out hope for Stanton

While reports previously suggested Giancarlo Stanton might be lost for the season, Boone delivered a surprisingly encouraging update on the slugger’s progress.

Although Stanton’s path back remains steep after a stint on the 60-day injured list, a late-season return hasn’t been ruled out. Rejoining the active roster for the stretch run would provide a major shot in the arm for New York’s pennant hopes.

Yankees injured list breakdown

Even with Judge making his long-awaited exit from the IL, several key names alongside Stanton remain sidelined. Here is a breakdown of where the rest of the Yankees’ injured list stands heading into the postseason push:

• Position Players
  • Trent Grisham (CF) — 10-Day: Suffered a recurrence of his right hamstring injury in early September. Placed on the 10-day IL, with an expected return timeline slated for late September (estimated around September 22).
  • Giancarlo Stanton (DH) — 60-Day IL: Shifted to the 60-day IL while recovering. Eligible and targeting a return for the final week of the regular season or the start of the postseason.
• Pitchers
  • Ryan Weathers (SP) — 15-Day IL: Shut down from throwing due to forearm discomfort. Out until at least late September while progressing through rehab protocols.
  • Fernando Cruz (RP) — 15-Day IL: Placed on the IL in late August. Expected to miss the remainder of the regular season, with a target return stretched into late October.
  • Clarke Schmidt (SP) — 60-Day IL: Out long-term while rehabbing from reconstructive elbow surgery.
  • Kervin Castro (RP) — 60-Day IL: Sidelined on the 60-day IL.

In fact, it took Judge exactly 99 days (May 31-Sep. 7) to return from the injured list. Many might point to that fact as if he wanted it to be that way, but he repeatedly said he would have loved to be back in the lineup sooner.

Ahead of the Yankees’ homestand featuring three-game series against the Colorado Rockies and New York Mets, the team announced Judge has been activated from the IL, and a corresponding move has been made to make room on the roster for the franchise player in the Bronx.

“Today, the Yankees made the following roster moves: Reinstated outfielder Aaron Judge (#99) from the 60-day injured list. Designated RHP Chase Hampton for assignment,” the Yankees announced on their X account.

Judge is back and NY Yankees need him

Although it remains to be seen what Aaron Boone has in store for Judge upon his return to action, it’s safe to assume he will resume his outfield duties shortly at Yankee Stadium.

New York needs him in that department, even though it puts him at risk of re-aggravating the stress fracture in his first right rib. As things stand, the Yankees are rocking with Spencer Jones, Jasson Dominguez, and Cody Bellinger in the outfield.

However, after Boone warned Dominguez following his error against the San Diego Padres, buzz grew louder that the Yankees’ call-up could be demoted soon. Having Judge back on the active roster could effectively be all she wrote for the young outfielder in the 2026 MLB season.

Judge’s stats vs Mets in 2026

Based on his career numbers against the Orange and Blue, the Yankees have more than enough reasons to be excited about getting Judge back in time for the Subway Series. In 2026, he has gone 3-for-12 at the plate, with two runs and two walks.

Moreover, his slash line against his cross-town rivals this year includes a .250 AVG, .357 OBP, .333 SLG, and .690 OPS. That’s actually his fourth-lowest OPS against any team this season, so Judge will definitely be hoping to make up for his struggles when he enters Yankee Stadium against the Mets.

Moreover, a report on Judge hints that he may not be fully active in the lineup upon his return. Instead, the Yankees could take Judge in and out of the lineup to manage his workload and avoid any setbacks. At this stage in the MLB campaign, that’s the last thing New York can afford with its franchise player.

“[Judge] will probably come back and only play five or six innings when he first returns. Don’t be shocked if, say, he returns Wednesday, he doesn’t play Thursday,” Dan Rourke stated on the Morning Yankees Show. “They are going to ease him in, they are going to break him in. Bottom line is just be patient with the return of Aaron Judge. Not forever, but at least for the first [weeks].”

Yankees’ outfield misses Judge

It was obvious the moment the Pinstripers placed Judge on the 60-day IL with a stress fracture in his right first rib, but it has been exposed recently. With Trent Grisham’s injury update making Aaron Boone and the Yankees brace for a long absence, the team’s outfield is under even more duress.

To make matters worse, Jasson Dominguez has struggled in his return to MLB ballparks, leading to Boone warning the Yankees’ call-up after a blatant error against the San Diego Padres. Cody Bellinger and Spencer Jones have played well enough, but they are missing a key piece without Judge, and now even Grisham.

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and the Bronx Bombers have learned that lesson before. Judge’s return will not only provide Boone and company with the best bat in the clubhouse, but also a prominent presence in the outfield who can bring stability at a crucial time.

Final countdown for Judge’s return

The Yankees are back in the Bronx, set to start a six-game homestand including series against the Colorado Rockies and New York Mets. The jury is still out, and Boone’s ambiguous answer to a question about Judge’s return to the lineup only fueled speculation.

Still, this has been the targeted date for a while, with the series opener against the Mets on Sept. 11 considered the ideal homecoming for No. 99. Judge is set to face live pitching, and that appears to be the last hurdle in his recovery. Once it’s cleared, the long wait may finally be over. Judge will be back on the diamond, and the Yankees will re-enter the World Series conversation.