Aaron Judge Reveals Yankees Return Plans amid Rib Injury Rehab During MLB Playoff Race

Aaron Judge hasn't played since May 31 because of a fractured right rib, but he doesn't plan on making any rehab appearances when he is ready to return despite all that time off.

"Why waste at-bats?" he told reporters Thursday. "Why waste anything down in a minor-league game? I've been doing this for a while now, and I've got a sense of what I need to do on the field and how to manage it."

Judge also said "there haven't been any setbacks, which has been the greatest thing," while pointing out he didn't make a minor league rehab appearance in 2023 either even though he missed nearly two months due to a toe injury.

What's more, he said he plans on being the right fielder and not a designated hitter, adding he will "play smart" in regards to diving.

"I feel like if I tell them I'm ready to go play, I think we're ready to go play," Judge said. "I'm not a pitcher. I'm a position player. I get my reps down here in the cage, and I've been to every game. I've been sitting there in the dugout watching every game."

It should be noted Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters "we'll make that decision collectively" when discussing whether the team will ask Judge to make a rehab appearance.

Still, no rehab appearances would mean getting him into the lineup quicker. And that is exactly what the Yankees need to do considering some of their offensive struggles without his bat in the middle of the order.

Brendan Kuty and Chris Kirschner of The Athletic noted they are 26th in the league in runs scored and 29th in wRC+ since their first game without Judge on June 2.

It is a credit to the pitching that New York is still 75-57 overall and in the top wild-card spot in the American League. It is also still just 3.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East and could make a late push for the division if and when the slugger returns.

When healthy, Judge is one of the best players in the sport. His resume includes three AL MVPs, an AL Rookie of the Year, a batting title, eight All-Star selections and five Silver Sluggers.

He was well on his way to adding to those totals this season before the setback and was slashing .248/.375/.533 with 17 home runs and 38 RBI in 59 games.

While the Yankees have done an excellent job of remaining in the playoff picture without him, they likely need Judge back if they are going to deliver on World Series expectations. He sounded like someone who is preparing for a return on Thursday, even if that return will not include a rehab appearance.