The New York Yankees welcomed back their star outfielder Aaron Judge on Tuesday as he returned to the lineup for the first time since sustaining a fractured rib more than three months ago.
Judge, who had been sidelined since May 31, struggled in his comeback performance against the Colorado Rockies. The slugger finished 0-for-3 at the plate, recording two strikeouts and one flyout before the Yankees pulled him from the game during the sixth inning.
Despite Judge's offensive difficulties in his return, the Yankees held a 2-1 advantage when he exited the contest. The team opted for a cautious approach with their franchise player, limiting his action in what marked his first competitive at-bats in more than 14 weeks.
The extended absence represented a significant blow to the Yankees' lineup during the summer months. Judge's return provides a major boost to the team's postseason aspirations as September unfolds, even if the initial results did not showcase his typical production.
The decision to remove Judge after six innings suggests the organization remains committed to managing his workload carefully as he works his way back to full strength following the rib injury.
