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Yankees Activate Aaron Judge for Tuesday’s Rockies Return

9/9/2026

Summary

Judge Returns

The New York Yankees activated Aaron Judge for Tuesday’s game against the Colorado Rockies.
Judge missed 84 games after a right rib stress fracture sidelined him since May 31.
Yankees hold the top AL wild-card spot with a nine-game lead entering Judge’s return.
Team OPS drops to .681 without Judge and rises to .770 when he plays.
Yankees’ rotation leads MLB with a 3.34 ERA and bullpen a league-best 3.05 ERA.

Summary

Burnes Debuts

Cardinals right-hander Michael Burnes will debut Tuesday vs. Royals, his first start since June 1 2025 after Tommy John surgery.
Blue Jays left-hander Ryan Yesavage threw a 34-pitch bullpen session in Florida Thursday.
Blue Jays right-hander Luis Santander begins a Triple-A Buffalo rehab assignment Wednesday after offseason labrum surgery.
Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz received a cortisone shot, targeting a return by week’s end without surgery for a UCL tear.

History

Historical Context

In 1998, the New York Yankees captured a record 114-game regular-season championship, clinching the World Series in a sweep. That roster featured Derek Jeter’s .348 batting average and a team OPS of .945, the highest in franchise history. Similarly, today Aaron Judge’s return after an 84-game rib fracture and Michael Burnes’s post-Tommy John debut echo the Yankees’ reliance on star players to sustain momentum. These comeback narratives pressure the Yankees to preserve their league-leading 3.34 ERA and the Cardinals to rebuild pitching depth, shaping the 2025 playoff race.

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Judge Returns

The New York Yankees activated Aaron Judge for Tuesday’s game against the Colorado Rockies.
Judge missed 84 games after a right rib stress fracture sidelined him since May 31.
Yankees hold the top AL wild-card spot with a nine-game lead entering Judge’s return.
Team OPS drops to .681 without Judge and rises to .770 when he plays.
Yankees’ rotation leads MLB with a 3.34 ERA and bullpen a league-best 3.05 ERA.

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