New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge will make his first start in the field since July 25 when the club opens a three-game series at home against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday.
Judge is playing right field and batting third in the Yankees’ lineup as they go toe to toe with the American League East leaders, whom they trail by three games.
Judge suffered a flexor strain in his right elbow in late July, though there was no damage to the UCL, and he spent time on the injured list. When he returned Aug. 5, he was only used as the designated hitter while he built up strength in his throwing elbow.
That forced the Yankees to use Giancarlo Stanton in the outfield for the first time since 2023. Stanton even played three straight games in left field in the Yankees’ series at the Houston Astros earlier this week, while Cody Bellinger took right.
In Friday’s lineup, Bellinger is manning left field while Stanton returns to his familiar DH role.
The two-time AL Most Valuable Player leads the majors with a .322 batting average to go with 43 homers and 97 RBIs in 130 games. His 100 walks and 112 runs top the AL.
Second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. is also in the lineup a day after suffering contusions on both knees.
