Aaron Judge is expected to rejoin the Yankees' lineup on Wednesday after sitting out Tuesday night's game versus the Blue Jays. The reigning American League MVP plans to play in the season's remaining five games despite struggling with a toe injury and the Yankees being eliminated from postseason contention.
Judge's difficulties in recovering from a torn ligament in his right big toe raised questions as to whether offseason surgery would be necessary. But Yankees manager Aaron Boone addressed those concerns by telling reporters that Judge won't go under the knife.
"I think the relief is that it’s gone probably as well as it has since he’s come back," Judge told reporters, per the New York Post's Greg Joyce. "I think he’s in a pretty good spot heading into the winter.”
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Judge's production has suffered from the injury. Since returning from the injured list on July 28, he's batted .240 with a .937 OPS. Judge has still slugged 16 home runs with 31 RBI, but those totals are far below what he posted last season.
Avoiding surgery would be a big relief for Judge and the Yankees, allowing him to begin offseason work sooner and get back to MVP form next year.
