Aaron Judge took a significant step toward returning to the Yankees' lineup on Tuesday, taking swings against overhand pitching for the first time since suffering a right rib stress fracture. The session, conducted in the indoor cage before the Yankees hosted the Astros, marked the latest progression in Judge's rehabilitation as he works his way back from an injury that has sidelined him for more than three months.
Judge began his hitting program last Thursday with tee work, then added underhand tosses before advancing to more traditional batting practice on Tuesday. Manager Aaron Boone said, "He's doing well." The captain also ran in the outfield before his cage work, and on Monday he threw from over 100 feet and shagged fly balls while Max Fried and Brendan Beck threw live batting practice.
"He's been shagging just to kind of get the body used to being out there in the field and stuff, so he's doing pretty well," Boone said.
The Yankees have not provided a firm timeline for Judge's next steps, but Boone indicated the plan is flexible. "He's got a calendar of what they're doing, but you make adjustments to that as you go," Boone said. "Sometimes that progress speeds up a little bit. Sometimes you take a step back."
Judge's recovery has been closely monitored, particularly because the Yankees expect him to play right field upon his return rather than serving primarily as a designated hitter. With Luis García Jr., Ben Rice and Paul Goldschmidt rotating at first base and DH, the team is counting on Judge to contribute defensively as well as at the plate. Boone said, "I'm not saying there won't be a DH day in there, but my plan is to have him play in the field."
Boone acknowledged that playing the field carries inherent risk, noting that Judge is believed to have initially suffered the rib injury in April while diving for a ball in right field. "I think inherently it does [come with more risk than DHing], just because you're out in the field," Boone said. "But we're not going to put him out there where he's in jeopardy."
The bigger unknown is how Judge will respond to ramping up his hitting progression, particularly against velocity and while taking his best swings. Boone said he had not asked doctors for assurances about Judge regaining full bat speed and power. "My expectation is that he's going to be Aaron Judge," Boone said.
Even a slightly diminished Judge would be a welcome addition for a Yankees offense that has struggled during his time on the injured list.
In other injury news, right-hander Clarke Schmidt is expected to begin a Minor League rehab assignment later this week as he prepares to return as a reliever. Schmidt is recovering from Tommy John surgery performed last July. He said, "Whether it's one inning, five pitches, 30 pitches, I just want to get back out there and compete. I know it's unrealistic to get 65, 75 pitches." Schmidt added, "If I was to go out in the starting role, I would just be hurting the bullpen at this point. I'm excited to compete. I just want to get back out on the mound and pitch a little bit this year, and get ready for a full season next year."
Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake said Schmidt's fastball showed life and that he threw some good curveballs. Schmidt's fastball has been clocked around 94-95 mph, and Schmidt said his stuff is "starting to get better each time out."
Boone praised Schmidt's potential as a reliever, saying, "He's been a really good starter in this league. When he's on his game, he's got a lot of weapons that could really land him a role down there."