TAMPA, Fla. – Aaron Judge is continuing to recover from a right flexor strain that sent the Yankees’ captain to the injured list late last month, but the All-Star’s throwing may be compromised for the rest of the season, manager Aaron Boone said on Tuesday.
Speaking on WFAN, Boone said he does not anticipate Judge returning to the outfield during the club’s series against the Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field, which begins Tuesday. Giancarlo Stanton will start in right field on Tuesday, the manager added.
“We’re trying to get through where he can let it go with ease and be able to protect himself,” Boone said of Judge. “I don’t think we’re going to see him back to throwing like he normally does at any point this year, but that’s OK, too. We’ve got to feel like he can go out there and be able to protect himself and represent himself.”
Judge sustained the injury on July 22 in Toronto, when television replays showed him grimacing after a throw from right field. Judge remained in that game, then played the next two games against the Blue Jays and Phillies before landing on the IL July 27.
Imaging at the time revealed “no acute injury” to Judge’s ulnar collateral ligament, according to Boone.
He returned to the lineup as a designated hitter on Aug. 5 at Texas and has played 11 games since, batting .229/.426/.429 (8-for-35) with a double, two homers and six RBIs.
Boone said Judge’s throwing has increased to 150 feet. He does not know when Judge will be ready to return to the outfield.
“I’m waiting on the trainers to say, ‘Yeah, thumbs up,’” Boone said. “I know he’s expected to long-toss again [Tuesday]. So I don’t expect it here in Tampa. But could it be [Thursday against] Boston? Maybe. I just don’t know yet.”
Stanton was limited to one pinch-hit plate appearance this past weekend in St. Louis after playing three consecutive games in right field against the Twins Aug. 11-13.
Boone said the team was being cautious with Stanton, who experienced difficulty bouncing back after playing the field. The Yankees’ initial plan is to have Stanton play the field on Tuesday against the Rays, but not on Wednesday.
“We’ll start with that and see where we are for the Boston series,” Boone said.
Boone also said the Yankees plan to activate outfielder Amed Rosario before Tuesday’s game. Catcher J.C. Escarra was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday.