Yankees' Aaron Judge Nears Injury Return as Designated Hitter

New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is making steady progress in his recovery from a right elbow flexor strain, with hopes of returning as a designated hitter as soon as he's eligible after his minimum 10-day stint on the injured list. Judge has begun light hitting in the batting cage and is expected to progress to hitting off a pitching machine by the weekend, but will not resume throwing for another 10 to 15 days, making him limited to DH duties initially. Yankees manager Aaron Boone and team medical staff are closely monitoring his response to increased workload, emphasizing a cautious approach while remaining optimistic about his early return, possibly for the upcoming series against the Texas Rangers. Despite Judge's eagerness to rejoin the lineup, full recovery of his elbow may take up to a month, and he is prepared to play through some discomfort. The Yankees, who have struggled offensively in Judge's absence, see his return as crucial for their playoff hopes, especially following major trade deadline acquisitions. Ultimately, Judge's comeback timeline will depend on his ongoing recovery and how his arm responds to the rehabilitation process.