Yankees captain Judge has started throwing between bases, aiming to return to the outfield as soon as possible.

After sustaining a right elbow flexor strain in late July, Aaron Judge returned to the Yankees in early August and has been playing exclusively as a designated hitter. Before the last game of the series against the Red Sox, he practiced throwing from the outfield to the bases for the first time. Judge is eager to return to the outfield as soon as possible.

Before this, Judge’s work consisted solely of throwing drills, extending the distance up to 150 feet (nearly 46 meters). Therefore, progressing to throws directed at the bases marks the final stage before his outfield comeback. However, this waiting period remains tough and challenging for him, and it is still uncertain when manager Aaron Boone will give his approval.

Judge said, “It’s hard because I’m a baseball player. I want to be on the field playing both offense and defense, helping the team in the outfield. I understand hitting is important, but I feel I can contribute on both sides of the game. I can’t wait to get back out there.”

As for Boone, he mentioned that it’s still unclear when Judge will return to the outfield, but he acknowledged that today’s throwing practice toward the bases was a positive step forward.

It’s worth noting that including today’s 3 at-bats without a hit, Judge has played 17 games as designated hitter since returning from injury, with 12 hits in 58 at-bats, including 3 home runs. His batting average stands at just .207, with a slugging percentage of 0.775, showing a significant drop compared to his pre-injury stats of a .342 average, 37 home runs, and a slugging percentage of 1.160.

However, Judge emphasized that this decline is not due to his swing, saying, “It only affects my throwing.”

On the other hand, Giancarlo Stanton played his 10th game this season as right fielder today. Including the 2 hits he recorded today, Stanton has 15 hits in 34 at-bats over 14 games since Judge returned, with 6 home runs. During this stretch, he boasts a remarkable .441 batting average, a .525 on-base percentage, a 1.029 slugging percentage, and an outstanding 1.554 OPS.

Boone pointed out that they will try to protect Stanton while he is in right field, for example by taking him out in situations where the team has a significant lead or deficit, or in later innings, to minimize the risk of unnecessary injury.