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Yankees receive positive Aaron Judge update
New York Yankees injured right fielder Aaron Judge (99) takes live batting practice before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Yankees receive positive Aaron Judge update

The New York Yankees have recently been slumping, but they may be getting a boost soon. 

Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge took batting practice Sunday at the team's minor league complex in Tampa Bay, via Erik Boland of Newsday. The 33-year-old slugger is now expected to return to New York's lineup in Tuesday's road game against the Texas Rangers.

The Yankees placed Judge on the 10-day injured list on July 27 because of a flexor strain in his right elbow. He suffered the injury during a 5-4 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on July 22 when throwing a ball from the outfield. 

New York manager Aaron Boone indicated the injury isn't a long-term concern, but they'll start Judge at designated hitter as a precaution. 

"No acute injury to the UCL. Overall, that's the good news," the manager said July 27, via MLB.com's Bill Ladson. "With those first few days coming off the IL, it's probably DH mode. Then he'll start throwing ... and hopefully, get back to the outfield shortly thereafter." 

Still, that's better than no Judge, especially for a team that's losing ground in the American League East race. 

Entering Sunday, New York (60-51) was third in the division behind the Boston Red Sox (62-51) and the Blue Jays (65-47). The Yankees had also dropped six of their past 10 games, including a shocking 13-12 home loss to the Miami Marlins on Friday. 

Judge was producing stellar numbers before the injury. In 377 at-bats in 103 games, the two-time AL MVP slashed .342/.449/.711 with 37 home runs. 

Judge returning at full power would help the Yankees rediscover their groove in the second half of the season. 

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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