MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: Yesterday afternoon, the Yankees received a massive boost in their chances at winning the American League East, as superstar right fielder Aaron Judge took live batting practice on the field for the first time since suffering a stress fracture in his rib that has left him on the shelf since May 31st. Speaking to reporters, manager Aaron Boone refused to say exactly which day No. 99 will return to the lineup, saying only that Judge’s rehab is in the “endgame.” As it turned out, though, the Yankees saw enough, and late last night, announced that the Captain will in fact return to the lineup tonight, activating him from the 60-day injured list. And while it’s unlikely that we’ll see Judge fully built up, with some reports that the team may start him playing only six to seven innings in the field before pulling him, his return represents the biggest wrench thrown into the American League East race in the month of September, and looks to give the team an edge as they try to chase down the division-leading Rays.
NJ.com | Adam Zagoria: Speaking of large, right-handed power hitters currently on the shelf: when Giancarlo Stanton suffered a third calf sprain back on August 22nd, everybody in baseball basically said, “Well, that’s it for Stanton’s season, and probably his Yankees career, too.” Not so fast, apparently. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Aaron Boone revealed that Stanton has been hitting in the cage, saying that “we’ll see” if he can return to the lineup this season. Of course, it still seems like a reach, especially since there really isn’t a role for him as Ben Rice, Luis García Jr., and Paul Goldschmidt have first base/designated hitter locked up, but we all know what a healthy Stanton can do, especially against lefties.
NBC Sports: In a small bit of housekeeping, the Yankees optioned Elmer Rodríguez to Triple-A Scranton following Sunday night’s loss, officially ending their brief stretch as a de facto six-man rotation. The corresponding move, it turned out, would be Judge’s return.
Newsweek | Jon Paul Hoornstra: Former Yankees right-handed pitcher and two-time World Series champion Rollie Sheldon passed away on August 31st at the age of 89. He spent five seasons in the Majors, pitching for the Kansas City Athletics and his childhood team, the Boston Red Sox, after his stint in the Bronx. We offer condolences to his family.
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