Aaron Judge’s Split Stats Reveal Why His Return to Right Field Is Critical

Aaron Judge is back in right field tonight for the first time since a flexor strain sent him off the grass in early July. The Yankees’ captain has carried the offense all season, but the numbers show how much the elbow—and weeks stuck at DH—changed his swing.

As a right fielder through late June, Judge looked like his usual MVP self. He posted a 1.076 OPS with 19 homers and 46 RBIs across 221 at-bats. That’s Judge locked in, hitting for power and balance while roaming the corner.

Since Aug. 5, when he returned as a full-time DH, the line dipped. In 27 games, he hit .242/.415/.474 for an .889 OPS. The on-base skills never wavered—pitchers still worked around him—but the slugging slid. Let’s be honest: this wasn’t just a position switch. The elbow clearly affected his swing.

Even with the dip, Judge’s overall season remains historic. He entered Friday hitting .322 with 43 homers, 97 RBIs and a 1.105 OPS. But the contrast between his production as a right fielder and as a DH explains why tonight matters.

The Yankees didn’t just need him back in the field for defensive stability—they needed their captain to feel like himself again at the plate. And the timing couldn’t be bigger. They’re opening a critical series against the Blue Jays, one that could shape the race in the AL East and Wild Card.

Judge has shown he can grind through the injury. Now the Yankees are hoping a return to the field unlocks the swing that made him the most feared hitter in baseball before July.