Potential timelines for Aaron Judge return revealed

As noted by ESPN, the New York Yankees gave fans what has been referred to as a "polarizing" MLB trade deadline when they added first baseman Luis Garcia Jr. and outfielder Heliot Ramos to their roster. 

That said, when slugger and team captain Aaron Judge will be able to return to the Yankees' lineup remains the biggest question hovering over the Bronx Bombers this summer. The three-time American League MVP hasn't played since May 31 due to a stress fracture of the first rib on his right side.

An "optimistic" timeline for a potential Aaron Judge return

"Here is what a best-case scenario might look like," MLB insider Chelsea Janes of SNY shared about Judge's potential return. "Say the Yankees wait two weeks from the last scans to re-image the area again. That would put those scans at Aug. 19. Say those scans go well and he can start baseball activities, and that he needs two weeks of building up swinging, throwing and running strength before he can play in minor league or simulated games for rehab purposes. If he needs a week of rehab games, he could be back in early September. But that timeline seems optimistic."

On paper, the only reason the Yankees have to even consider bringing Judge back in early September is if they feel they can catch the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East division standings. The 72-46 Rays began Tuesday holding a six-game lead over the second-place Yankees.

That said, the Yankees should be good enough to hold onto a wild-card playoff spot without Judge, thanks in part to the fact that much of the AL is mediocre. 66-52 New York will begin a three-game home series versus the Seattle Mariners (56-63) on Tuesday evening. 

"More likely" scenario for Aaron Judge return to Yankees

"More likely," Janes continued, "barring setbacks, I could see Judge building up to mid-September – and, given his penchant for aura, maybe even targeting the series against the Mets on the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11. Returning then would give him two weeks to recalibrate to big-league pitching before the playoffs, which would seem like plenty for someone as in-tune with his swing as Judge."

Janes added that Judge "will find a way" to get the number of at-bats he feels he'll need to be ready for the start of the postseason. However, that may prove to be a struggle if he still isn't feeling right by Labor Day.