The Athletic | Chris Kirschner ($): It’s been a long season, most of which the Yankees have spent without their Captain and the undisputed greatest hitter on the planet. But that could change soon. Friday in San Diego, he took batting practice for the first time. Saturday on the FOX broadcast, Ken Rosenthal said there are no plans to ease Judge in. If he plays, he’s in the lineup for the game, though he’ll likely get the next game off at first. Aaron Boone did not foresee Judge facing live pitching over the weekend, making a Tuesday return unlikely. But the skipper did say the upcoming homestand might be the time Judge’s towering presence (literal and metaphorical) returns to the Yankees — in right field as well.
CNBC | Michael Ozanian: The Angels’ record $4 million sale from Arte Moreno to Stan Kroenke had ripple effects on franchise valuations throughout the game as an updated market baseline of sorts. Just for one outlet’s example, CNBC updated its team-by-team estimates and the Yankees are now valued at $12 billion, “28 percent more than in March [2026],” with revenue total of $755 million. The valuation is tops in MLB per CNBC, $4 million ahead of the Dodgers. So… congrats to Hal Steinbrenner I suppose, should his family ever actually decide to put this racket behind.
Twitter | Bryan Hoch: From Wee Willie to The Bambino, sort of. Jasson Domínguez (who’s suffered an unfair comparision or 10 in his time) was asked about Anthony Volpe (who’s been on a homer a day binge recently) while the two were in Triple-A together prior to Domínguez’s call-up in the aftermath of Trent Grisham’s injury.* The Martian’s answer: “He became Barry Bonds, all the time, every day. It’s crazy. … He’s working his ass off to get better, and you can see it every day.” I’d love to see Volpe have an amazing second act as a Yankee. But like Durango, I won’t hold my breath.
*Call this a secondary update, but here’s a little more on Grisham’s status (though he was “doing light work” in the outfield yesterday). Aaron Boone also said that Spencer Jones will get most of the time in center with Grisham out.
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