For weeks, fans have been seeking transparency over Aaron Judge’s defensive role, and now the Yankees’ latest move has only exacerbated the debate. After Aaron Boone initially warned of “drastic consequences” if Judge was rushed back, the decision to place him into right field on Sunday has left New York divided. Many see it as a bet that risks worsening his injury rather than strengthening the playoff push.

The context stretches back to late July, when Judge suffered a right elbow flexor strain that sidelined him defensively. Since his August 5 return, Boone carefully used him as a designated hitter, ensuring his throwing arm was exempted from a heavy workload. That conservative approach seemed to be the plan for September, too, but the sudden change has ignited fresh skepticism. Critics argue the Yankees are playing with fire in the name of short-term gains.

The breaking news showed up directly from the team’s official account. “Sunday Series Finale,” the Yankees posted on X alongside a lineup graphic that included Judge in right field. MLB insider Bryan Hoch rapidly confirmed the update: “Aaron Judge returns to right field this afternoon vs. Toronto.” For fans, this was the clearest signal yet that the team is ready to roll the dice despite Boone’s earlier caution.

Naturally, questions flooded in immediately. If Boone himself admitted Judge is “not fully recovered” and still needs alternating assignments, why expose him to the defensive grind now? Joel Sherman of the New York Post put it bluntly: the Yankees’ “deluded version of Aaron Judge reality is doing no one any favors.” To Sherman and others, this is not just about Sunday’s game; it is about the risk of undoing weeks of carefully managed recovery.

The doubt only grows when contrasted with Cody Bellinger’s standout defensive play on Saturday. His 95.3 mph throw from right field to shoot down Bo Bichette emphasized the exact type of arm strength Judge currently lacks. Fans can not help but wonder if the Yankees are aiming Judge back into a spot that others are excelling at, all while risking the health of their most valuable talent. Boone’s balancing act, once viewed as cautious, is now being inspected as contradictory.

Fans Rip Yankees gamble as doubts grow around Judge

One frustrated fan said, “Jays gonna run on Judge every chance they get.” Given the data, that fear looks justified. The Yankees are just 4-8 against the Jays this season, and Aaron Judge’s first game back in RF saw the star labor with throws, and it has raised doubts related to whether Judge can actually deter opposing baserunners. With the Yankees (79-63) trailing the Jays (82-60) by four games in the AL East, every defensive slip looms large.

Another fan highlighted Judge’s recovery issues: “Will Judge continue to baby his elbow, allowing the Blue Jays to run at will? If he’s truly ‘healthy,’ there shouldn’t be a problem with throws!” Aaron Boone himself said that the face of the team is not fully healed, which only fuels the frustration. For fans, this is a contradiction — if Judge can not uncork a powerful throw from the outfield, then why put him there in the middle of a playoff chase?

Some fans took a harsher approach, raising questions about the decision entirely. “Why is Judge playing RF when he can’t throw?” This reaction cuts through the heart of the debate. Aaron Judge is irreplaceable; however, his diminished power alters the defensive equation. It is not just related to one game because opponents will test Judge in September, daring the star to prove he is still capable of making the big throw.

Others got creative in their critiques, poking fun at the situation with sarcasm: “Every time Toronto gets a man on 2nd, the next batter should do everything they can to hit it to RF. Don’t worry, Judge’s arm is fine. He has to hit the cutoff man from 15 feet away.” The mockery highlights a larger issue: the Yankees are effectively daring teams to exploit the star’s weakness, a tactical disadvantage that could swing close contests in the postseason race.

However, it was not just Aaron Judge who came under scrutiny. One fan shifted the target, saying, “Golden boy plays again. What will it take to get this bum out of the lineup?” The statement was aimed at Anthony Volpe because the star’s 2025 season has been plagued by inconsistency. Despite being tied for the league lead in errors and ranking among the least productive shortstops by multiple advanced metrics, he continues to feature in the lineup. The continuous issues of the Yankees’ young star have only magnified fan frustrations, specifically as the Yankees fight to hold on to a Wild Card spot.

The Yankees’ gamble on their face of the team’s RF return has opened more concerns than answers, from Judge’s lingering elbow issues to Anthony Volpe’s issues that fans can not ignore. With the postseason race tightening, Aaron Boone can not afford costly missteps.