Aaron Judge throws to bases; return to right field still TBD - ESPN

NEW YORK — Aaron Judge took another step forward in his recovery from a flexor strain in his right arm when he threw to bases at Yankee Stadium for the first time since the injury one month ago.

When Judge will be able to return to right field, however, remains a mystery. The reigning AL MVP redirected questions about his timeline to the club's trainers, though they are not made available to the media for questions. Manager Aaron Boone said he didn't know when Judge would return to the outfield.

«The bottom line is we want to do this the right way,» Boone said before the Yankees hosted the Boston Red Sox in Sunday's series finale. «And as much as he wants to be out there and we want him out there, we've got to make sure we want to do everything possible to put ourselves in the best position to not reinjure this.»

Because of the injury, Judge has been the Yankees' everyday designated hitter since coming off the injured list on Aug. 5. The circumstances have forced the Yankees to play Giancarlo Stanton in right field for the first time in nearly two years in order to have both sluggers' bats in the lineup.

Stanton, 35, started in right field on Aug. 9, marking his first game at the position since September 2023. Hampered by leg injuries over the years, he does not move well, presents limitations in the field and doesn't recover like he once did as an MVP outfielder. Earlier this month, for example, he didn't start three straight games after starting three days in a row.

At the same time, Stanton has been one of the best hitters in the majors since the start of July, batting .317 with 16 home runs and a 1.134 OPS over his last 38 games entering Sunday.

«Got to be mindful of it,» Boone said. «He's too important to us moving