New Aaron Judge Injury Update After Scans Reveal Updated Timeline for Yankees Star

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters on Wednesday that superstar outfielder Aaron Judge has been cleared for some "light activity" as he recovers from a stress fracture in his right first rib.

Judge hasn't played since May 31 due to the injury. He did, meanwhile, tell reporters that he expected to return this season:

Despite Wednesday's updates from Boone and Judge, general manager Brian Cashman didn't rule out the possibility on Monday that Judge may not be able to return this season.

"I think that question is a fair question on anybody's side," he told reporters when asked about the situation. "Like is that possible? It's always possible that things don't go the way you want, but we currently are still very optimistic that he's going to return. But there's challenges with all that, too. While he's returning, whenever that timeframe is, and ramping him up and getting his timing down, etc., etc. etc. So I can't rule out any of it."

His absence has been a huge blow to New York's offense. The 34-year-old, a three-time MVP, was hitting .248 with 17 homers, 38 RBI, 43 runs and a .907 OPS through 59 games, and that was something of a down year considering his four straight seasons with an OPS above 1.000.

The Yankees didn't go full star-hunting ahead of the trade deadline but did acquire first baseman Luis García Jr. and outfielder Heliot Ramos to help navigate their various injury woes, with Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton also out of commission. It wasn't exactly the trade deadline fans were hoping for, though the hope is that calling up top prospect George Lombard Jr. will also provide a boost.

But if the Yankees are going to be contenders, everything hinges on Judge's return. In that regard, Wednesday's updates were positive.