Aaron Judge Healing but Still Not Cleared for Baseball Activities

In a recent update regarding Aaron Judge’s recovery, it appears that there has been some progress. Recent imaging has indicated that Judge’s ribs are healing, yet he remains sidelined, not yet cleared to resume baseball activities. The Yankees are awaiting another opinion before finalizing a comprehensive game plan for the captain’s return to the field.

Meanwhile, the Yankees’ prospect landscape is also making headlines. As the season progresses and with the trade deadline on the horizon, Baseball Prospectus has released its midseason Top 50 prospect rankings. George Lombard Jr., a shortstop, stands out for the Yankees, landing at No. 24. His potential power is a significant draw, underscored by his recent performance where he homered in Triple-A upon returning from an injury.

Over in Triple-A, Max Fried made his first rehab appearance on the mound, pitching three innings and allowing two runs on five hits, including a home run. He managed to strike out three batters during the outing. The Yankees are expected to monitor Fried’s progress closely, with at least one more rehab start scheduled for Wednesday to determine if he is ready for activation or requires an additional outing.

As the trade deadline approaches, the Yankees are also assessing their catching situation. With Austin Wells struggling and other backups not making a significant impact, attention is turning to potential trade targets. Historically, the Yankees have shown interest in the Rockies’ Hunter Goodman, who boasts a solid 118 wRC+. Currently pre-arbitration, Goodman wouldn’t reach free agency until just before 2030, leaving the Yankees to ponder his availability as the deadline draws near.

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