Aaron Judge returns from months-long rib injury in Yankees' win over Rockies
· Yahoo Sports
Aaron Judge made his long-awaited return to Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night.
Judge returned to the Yankees’ lineup on Tuesday night for their 5-3 win over the Colorado Rockies in New York. It marked his first game back with the team after he missed the last three months with a stress fracture in his rib.
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Though he ended up striking out, Judge received a big standing ovation from Yankees fans when he stepped into the box for the first time.
Yankee Stadium welcomes Aaron Judge back 👏 pic.twitter.com/wew6RCl5lX
— MLB (@MLB) September 8, 2026
Judge struggled the rest of the way, too. He struck out and flew out to go 0-for-3 at the plate before he was pulled after six innings. He didn’t get the chance to field a ball in right, either.
His replacement, Heliot Ramos, then drilled a three-run homer in the eighth to help power the Yankees to the win.
Ramos Rakes 💥#RepBXpic.twitter.com/vbdjoYFBKV
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 9, 2026
Judge last played on May 31 against the Athletics, and he’s been slowly recovering from the stress fracture ever since. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said last week that Judge was progressing well and building up his workload, and he opted to skip a minor-league rehab assignment. Judge joined the Yankees for their series with the Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres in California last week, too, while continuing the recovery process.
Judge took live batting practice at Yankee Stadium on Monday before he was activated, and then made the trip over to the US Open to watch Coco Gauff in her match with Iva Jović in Queens.
“Having that guy setting the tone at the top of the lineup, we’ve missed that most of the season,” catcher Austin Wells said last weekend before Judge’s return, via The Athletic. “To have him come back at the most pivotal time of the year, I don’t think there’s anyone that can add the value that he will when he’s back.”
Judge, 34, entered Tuesday with 17 home runs and 38 RBI this season. He holds a career-worst .248 batting average, too, but Tuesday was just his 60th game of the year.
The Yankees now sit at 82-62 on the year after Tuesday’s win, which has them in second in the AL East standings. They are leading the American League wild-card race, however, and seem well on their way to earning a third straight postseason trip.
Even though Judge didn’t have the best outing, he’s back on the field again with plenty of time to go before the playoffs. That’s a start.
