Yankees’ Judge Faces More Scans as Team Moves Him to 60-Day IL

Aaron Judge’s path to recovery has hit another speed bump as the New York Yankees announced he will require another scan before significantly ramping up his activity level. The team’s captain has been sidelined since May 31 due to a fractured rib, and the Yankees officially moved him to the 60-day injured list on Saturday.

Judge’s healing process was assessed during the All-Star break by Dr. Gregory J. Pearl, the chair of vascular surgery at Baylor Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital in Texas. Yankees manager Aaron Boone noted, “Obviously healing going on, which is good, but still not able to start any baseball activities or anything.” With the Yankees facing the Los Angeles Dodgers in a rainout, Boone emphasized the importance of Judge reaching an asymptomatic state before he can resume upper body workouts.

Currently, Judge is batting .248 with 17 home runs and 38 RBIs, yet he struggled prior to his injury, hitting only one home run in his last 18 games before going on the injured list. Boone expressed cautious optimism, stating, “The good news is, you know the pain is subsiding somewhat over the last couple weeks and changing from that sharp to more of that pull. So hopefully he continues to improve there and then we can start upping things.” The timeline for Judge’s next scan will depend on how he feels in the coming days.

New York was 36-23 when Judge last played, but the team has struggled since, posting an 18-20 record without him. The procedural move to the 60-day IL was made to create a roster spot for right-hander Bradley Hanner, who had his contract selected from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before being optioned back to the RailRiders.

In a more positive development for the Yankees, Clarke Schmidt threw an inning of batting practice for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery on July 11 last year. The 30-year-old right-hander reported reaching 95 mph during his session, which included four-seamers, sinkers, and cutters thrown to teammates Anthony Volpe and Ali Sánchez.

“Not full game feeling with the butterflies and stuff like that, but close to it,” Schmidt remarked. “To be able to put your stuff on display and be able to get back out there after a year is a good feeling.” Schmidt underwent an internal brace procedure during his surgery and acknowledged the difference in his recovery compared to his previous Tommy John surgery in May 2017, which occurred shortly before the Yankees selected him in the amateur draft.

Schmidt is set to throw batting practice again in four or five days and is open to returning as a reliever, opener, or bridge pitcher this season. “I know that we have a little more limited time for me this year as far as ability to build up the pitch count,” he said. “Obviously I’m open to everything as long as I’m out there competing and being able to help the guys.”

Meanwhile, Boone shared optimism regarding Giancarlo Stanton’s recovery from a strained right calf, which has kept him out since April 24. “He is a week into the running progression, been hitting,” Boone said, acknowledging a previous setback but indicating Stanton is moving in a positive direction. However, Stanton has yet to run the bases.

On the injury front, left-hander Max Fried made his first rehab start for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday after being sidelined since May 14 due to a left elbow bone bruise. Boone was encouraged by Fried’s performance, stating, “He looked really good. I watched his whole outing. He felt really good.” Fried allowed two runs and five hits over three innings while striking out three and walking none.

In other news, shortstop prospect George Lombard Jr. made a successful return from the injured list, going 2 for 3 with a home run and a walk for the RailRiders. Boone praised Lombard, saying, “Obviously it’s no secret how highly we think of George. Had a good game last night, obviously, so he’s certainly more and more in his development pushing himself into the conversation.” Lombard, the son of a former major leaguer, is hitting .239 with five homers, 16 RBIs, and eight stolen bases this season.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.