Aaron Judge nears return as Yankees prepare for West Coast trip

New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge is nearing a return to the Major League lineup following a right-rib stress fracture that has kept him sidelined since early June. Judge is expected to join the team during their West Coast road trip to face the Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres, where he will increase his training intensity, including field batting practice. While a return during the West Coast series is unlikely, there is potential for him to rejoin the lineup during the upcoming home series against the Colorado Rockies and New York Mets in September.

The Yankees' offensive performance has been inconsistent during Judge's absence, though the team recently saw a significant surge, including a 16-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox. This offensive boost has helped the Yankees maintain a lead in the American League Wild Card race and secure a season series tiebreaker against Boston. However, the team also suffered a 10-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels, highlighting ongoing struggles with defensive errors and pitching consistency.

In addition to roster adjustments, the Yankees have recalled pitcher Luis Gil from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to provide bullpen depth. The team continues to navigate the final month of the season with a focus on securing postseason positioning while managing injuries to key players.