Yankees' Aaron Judge News Emerges After World Baseball Classic

Judge has spent the past two weeks away from Yankees spring training. Although he is the captain of the Yankees, he captained a different team: Team USA at the World Baseball Classic.

Unfortunately for Judge, he and the Americans lost in the final to Venezuela, marking the second straight time Team USA has fallen short in the championship game. This was Judge’s first time participating in the tournament, as he skipped the 2023 edition after signing his nine‑year, $360 million contract with New York. 

Judge put together a strong showing at the WBC, collecting six hits, six walks, two home runs and five RBIs across seven games. With the tournament over, Judge still had not returned to camp to prepare for Opening Day, which is now just days away.

On Thursday, an update emerged from Greg Joyce of the New York Post, who reported that Judge had officially returned to camp despite not appearing in either of the Yankees split‑squad lineups against the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays.

Joyce also shared video of Judge taking part in batting practice, and the expectation is that he could return to in‑game action as soon as Friday. 

Expectations are naturally high for Judge once again this year. Last season he posted a .331 batting average, .457 on‑base percentage, 1.144 OPS, 53 home runs and 114 RBIs across 152 games.

Judge is also entering the year fully healthy after battling a right elbow flexor strain last season, and his two outfield assists for Team USA showed he is past the issue. With his return to camp, the Yankees can finally begin shaping their Opening Day lineup around the player who remains the centerpiece of their championship hopes.