New York Yankees Manager Aaron Boone Provides Very Optimistic News on the Aaron Judge Injury Front

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone says that Aaron Judge is reportedly "getting close" to returning from his toe injury.

The New York Yankees, who have fallen to last place in the American League East and have fallen to 2.5 games back in the wild card race, are getting closer to welcoming back slugger Aaron Judge.

The following comes from the Rotowire fantasy baseball portal:

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on the Talkin' Yanks podcast Tuesday that Judge (toe) is "getting close."

ANALYSIS
Boone was asked whether the beginning of the July 25 series against the Mets was a realistic target for Judge to return and the skipper didn't rule it out. While certainly not a clear timetable, the proclamation does point to real progress as Judge works his way back from a torn ligament in his right big toe. The reigning American League MVP began taking batting practice last Friday and has also done some light running. Running the bases at full effort would probably the last hurdle Judge needs to clear, and it's uncertain when he might be ready for that. The slugger has been sidelined since early June.

This is huge news for a Yankees team that has generally struggled in his absence offensively. His presence in the lineup completely changes the calculus of that lineup.

After winning the MVP a season ago, Judge is hitting .291 this year with 19 homers and 40 RBI. He's added three stolen bases. For his career, he's a .284 hitter with 239 home runs.

Judge signed a massive nine-year, $360 million contract this offseason that will likely keep him in New York for the rest of his career. In addition to the MVP award, Judge has won Rookie of the Year, a home run derby title, three Silver Slugger awards, and is a five-time All-Star selection.

The Yankees are taking on the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday at 9:38 p.m. ET.

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