Aaron Judge returned to the New York Yankees lineup on Friday night after missing almost two months with an injured right toe. However, his comeback was thwarted by the Baltimore Orioles, who won 1-0.
It was Judge’s first game since ripping a ligament in his right big toe on June 3 while attempting to make a catch at Dodger Stadium. The reigning American League MVP walked three times and struck out once in his other at-bat as the Orioles extended their lead over the Yankees to nine games.
The Yankees activated Judge off the disabled list on Friday, ahead of the start of their weekend road series against the Baltimore Orioles. Judge acknowledges he isn’t totally healed, but he is fit to play.
“It’s alright, it’s feeling good,” he remarked. “It’s not perfect. I don’t believe it’ll be fully operational till the end of the year. “I think our main goal is just to get to the point where I can play and tolerate it.”
Judge participated in a simulated game Wednesday at the team’s headquarters in Tampa, Florida, before returning to New York. For the first time since his injury, the famous slugger saw live pitching at Yankee Stadium on Sunday. Judge homered during a simulated game in Florida on Tuesday, according to manager Aaron Boone. He also ran the bases and played the field.
Judge was scheduled to bat second as the designated hitter on Friday night. Boone said that he could have played on the field, but the choice would be made on a case-by-case basis.
“First pitch swinging, he lines out to right, then obviously a lot of really competitive walks,” Boone said of Judge’s return. “Really good to see him see a lot of pitches and control the strike zone like he did.”
Since Judge was injured in Los Angeles, New York has gone 19-24. With the great outfielder, the Yankees are 30-19. He also missed 10 games earlier this season due to a right hip issue.
Last season, Judge established an AL record with 62 home runs. In the first season of a $360 million, nine-year deal he signed last offseason, he is batting.291 with 19 home runs and 40 RBI.
“I guess he’s back and ready,” said Orioles manager Brandon Hyde. “So we’ll have to pitch him well.”
Baltimore started this series with a 122-game lead over Tampa Bay in the AL East. The Yankees were six games above.500, but they were at the bottom of a very competitive division. For the AL’s last wild card, New York stood eight games behind the Orioles and 212 behind the Toronto Blue Jays.
Judge was asked whether the team’s offensive woes without him heightened his desire to return.
“No, I just wanted to get back,” Judge said after a little pause. “Anytime you’re sitting out, even if we were winning and had an eight-game lead in the division, or if we were 10 games out of it, I want to be back out there battling with the guys.”
Judge underwent an MRI in the previous several days, according to Boone, and Judge suggested it was a role in his comeback.
“I didn’t want to come back and make it worse, and this is something that will carry over into the next year and the year after,” he said. “Ligament is secure. The previous two MRIs did not reveal much healing, but this one did.”
The Yankees optioned infielder Oswald Peraza to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make way for Judge.
More in Sports: https://buzzing.today/sports/
Photo Credits: https://commons.wikimedia.org/