Yankees captain Aaron Judge, determined to bypass minor league rehabilitation assignments, made his much-anticipated return to the field. Following a brief batting practice session on Monday's off day, Judge was reactivated from the injured list, taking his usual third spot in the batting order and playing right field in Tuesday night's game at Yankee Stadium. This marked his first game in 99 days, a coincidence he found rather amusing.
However, Judge's comeback was not without its moments of contention. Six innings into the game, despite the Yankees leading 2-1, manager Aaron Boone decided to pull him from the field. Judge openly voiced his disapproval of this early departure, stating, "I respect Booney, so whatever he says I'm going to do. But I'm not happy about it." This sentiment was evident in his post-game interview, where he expressed a strong desire to play every day and for the full nine innings, humorously suggesting that he hoped for more than six innings in future games.
While Judge acknowledges the need to regain full game fitness, he maintained that he felt no fatigue after his six innings. At the plate, he went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a flyout. Defensively, he saw no action in right field, largely due to Yankees ace Cam Schlittler's dominant performance, which included 10 strikeouts and only one run allowed over seven innings. Boone indicated that Judge's playing time will continue to be managed carefully, with potential rest days in the upcoming schedule, particularly during the Subway Series weekend, a strategy that may further displease the eager-to-play Judge.
Ultimately, Judge affirmed his commitment to the team, stating that his role is to play nine innings and that he will adhere to the decisions made by Boone and the team management. His unwavering dedication to playing is a testament to his competitive spirit and desire to contribute fully, embodying the essence of a true athlete striving for peak performance and victory.
