The New York Yankees are no strangers to drama, but lately, the spotlight hasn’t been on walk-off wins or blown saves — it’s been on the empty patch of grass in right field. For weeks, fans have been counting the days and scanning every update, in anticipation of one thing: the return of their most dangerous bat and most recognizable glove. While the Yankees have managed to keep pace, the lineup hasn’t felt complete without their captain roaming the outfield. The whispers have grown louder — is he close, is the team holding back news? And now, after weeks of cautious silence, manager Aaron Boone has finally offered a glimmer of clarity.

Aaron Judge hasn’t played since July 27th due to a right elbow flexor strain, and in the 10 games since, the Yankees have gone 4–6 while hitting just .231/.311/.399 as a team — a clear drop from their season average of .250/.328/.445. Judge leads the major leagues in various aspects, batting average (.342) and OPS (1.160) to name a few, so his bat for his franchise is pretty indispensable. However, Aaron Boone has at last broken the silence with an update that should make the fans breathe a little easier. “He’s optimistic that it will be sooner rather than later,” said the manager, hinting at progress without over-promising.

Judge’s rehab timeline is looking more active by the day. According to Boone, the star threw on Wednesday, again in Texas on Friday, and then yesterday — each session highlighting noticeable improvement. The Yankees manager mentioned that Aaron Judge is scheduled to throw again today, a sign that the rhythm is returning. The focus now? Keep that steady climb without pushing Judge into a setback.

Max Goodman also confirmed that “Aaron Boone “flirted” with starting Giancarlo Stanton in the outfield again today, but he doesn’t want to push it since it had been so long since he was out there. Aaron Judge is also “moving in a pretty good direction” with his throwing program and he’s “optimistic” that he’ll be back in the outfield soon,” Boone said.

It has been a careful balancing act since Aaron Judge came off the injured list. The star has been holding down the designated hitter position, going 3-for-12 with three walks, an RBI, and two runs in the first few games back. That bat is too valuable to bench; however, Boone is not rushing the star. “He’s moving in a pretty good direction,” the manager said, knowing that patience here could pay off in a large way come September.

While Aaron Judge’s rehab is the headline, the team’s injury shuffle did not stop there. Just as one vital star inches closer to the field, another has been sidelined — and it is the kind of loss that chips away at the Yankees’ depth chart in multiple positions.

Yankees place IF/OF Amed Rosario on 10-day injured list.

The Yankees’ lineup flexibility took a hit Sunday when Amed Rosario was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left SC joint sprain. This is an injury to the joint where the collarbone meets the breastbone. The move, retroactive to Saturday, comes after the star collided hard with the left-field wall in Friday’s loss to the Astros. Since joining the team from the Nationals on July 26th, the 29-year-old star has wasted no time making an impression, going 3-for-7 with an RBI in just four games while showing the kind of defensive versatility managers ask for.

Such versatility is no small thing — he has played second base, third base, shortstop, right field, and pitched an inning this season. Losing the star is losing a plug-and-play option who could cover all the emergencies. To fill the roster position, the team recalled catcher J.C. Escarra from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre; however, J.C. Escarra’s bat (.205 average in 39 games) is not exactly a one-for-one replacement. In a season where every roster move matters, such a move could quietly put extra strain on Aaron Boone’s lineup cards and the Yankees’ already delicate injury balance.

The Yankees’ playoff hopes hinge on keeping the team’s roster healthy and firing on all cylinders, and with Judge’s return to right field inching closer, the stakes could not be higher. Every rehab throw, cautious lineup move, and injury replacement is part of a larger chess game focused on October glory. Fans will be watching closely—because when the face of the team finally takes the field again, it could be the spark that ignites a deep postseason run.

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