Aaron Judge Reveals Yankees Return Plans, Hopes to Skip Rehab Assignment

Aaron Judge is closing in on a return to the New York Yankees after missing a significant portion of the 2026 MLB season because of a stress fracture in his first right rib.

The eight-time All-Star and three-time American League MVP has been sidelined since late April, leaving the Yankees without one of the most important hitters in their lineup. With his rehabilitation progressing, Judge has now explained how he wants his comeback to happen.

Aaron Judge wants to return directly to MLB action

Speaking to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch on Thursday, Judge said he hopes to return to the Yankees without first completing a Minor League rehabilitation assignment.

Judge pointed to his previous experience in 2023, when he returned after missing a similar amount of time without playing a Minor League game.

His reasoning is straightforward: after spending years playing at the highest level, Judge believes he understands what he needs to do to prepare himself for a Major League return.

Rather than using Minor League games to regain his timing, Judge would prefer to use his remaining rehabilitation work to prepare for the demands of MLB competition.

Why Aaron Judge’s return matters to the Yankees

Judge remains one of the central figures in the Yankees’ lineup and is capable of changing a game with his power. His absence has therefore been an important storyline throughout the 2026 season.

The Yankees have managed to remain in a strong position in the playoff race despite his extended absence. However, having their captain and premier power hitter available for the final stretch could significantly strengthen their postseason ambitions.

For New York, the priority will be making sure Judge is physically ready rather than rushing him back simply because the postseason is approaching.

Possible Aaron Judge return date emerges

Although the Yankees have not publicly confirmed a specific return date, New York Post insider Joel Sherman recently offered his prediction.

Sherman suggested that September 10 could be a possible date for Judge’s return when the Yankees face the Colorado Rockies.

His prediction is based on his observations around the team and the timing of New York’s upcoming schedule. The Yankees are scheduled to face the New York Mets from September 11 through September 13, making that weekend particularly significant.

Sherman believes Judge could be motivated to return before the Yankees’ series against the Mets if his rehabilitation continues to progress as expected.

Yankees taking cautious approach with Judge

Despite the excitement surrounding Judge’s potential comeback, the Yankees have little reason to take unnecessary risks with their star player.

New York is reportedly in a strong enough position to compete for the postseason without requiring Judge to immediately carry the offense. That gives the organization an opportunity to focus on his health and build his workload gradually.

A fully healthy Judge entering the final portion of the regular season would be far more valuable to the Yankees than a rushed return followed by another setback.

Judge’s experience could help his comeback

Judge’s confidence in returning directly to the Major Leagues is partly based on his previous experience. He has already gone through extended injury absences during his career and understands the physical and mental demands of returning to competition.

His familiarity with his swing, preparation routine and workload could allow the Yankees to tailor his comeback without necessarily requiring an extended Minor League assignment.

However, the final decision will ultimately depend on how Judge responds to baseball activities and whether the Yankees’ medical and performance staff believe he is ready.

Yankees hope Judge is ready for the postseason push

The timing of Judge’s comeback could be crucial. With the regular season entering its decisive stage, the Yankees will want their star hitter available when the stakes become highest.

Judge’s return would provide New York with another major offensive weapon and could improve the team’s lineup depth heading into the postseason.

For now, Judge’s rehabilitation appears to be moving in a positive direction. While September 10 remains only a reported prediction rather than a confirmed date, Yankees fans have another reason to be optimistic about seeing their star back on the field soon.