Yankees’ Aaron Judge Struggles but Looks to Rebound

The situation surrounding Judge is reminiscent of earlier discussions about him. He is the central figure here, and for fans, the only concern now is when he’ll be back in full production mode.

Unfortunately, his return hasn’t been smooth. The Yankees’ offense has been lackluster, with Judge managing just a .211 batting average over six games since he came back from some tension in his right elbow flexor. This follows a challenging stretch where he was 8 for 8, with 19 strikeouts in 14 games, marking the second slump since June came around, a contrast to what fans hoped for after a stellar start to the season.

Timing seems to be crucial for him right now, or so suggests hitting coach James Rowson.

“He’s gradually getting his timing and tempo back. It’s a daily process, and he’s getting closer,” Rowson mentioned after Judge went 4 for 4 with an RBI single during the Yankees’ 6-2 win.

During a recent game, Judge reflected on his swing, noting, “There’s always room for improvement,” which aligns with what he suggested after a previous game that ended 4-3.

It’s worth noting that Judge has been restricted to designated hitter duties as that alleviates the elbow pain. According to manager Aaron Boone, he won’t be back in the outfield for the series against Minnesota.

He did manage to get some singles in three consecutive games recently, including one that secured the game for the Yankees. However, this season, his previous power numbers—37 homers and 87 RBIs—seem to have waned.

Boone’s optimism shines through: “I don’t think he’s far off. It’s just a matter of time before he starts racking up those hits again.”

Rowson added, “It’s just about a guy trying to regain his rhythm.” He recalls Judge’s longest slump, which lasted almost two months in 2023 after he collided with the Dodger Stadium fence, leading to a toe injury.

The current slump is compounded by elbow issues, a lackluster lineup, and the broader struggles of the season, which don’t bode well for team morale. As Rowson put it, “Sometimes you go a bit too far when things aren’t going your way, but I believe he will return to the form we expect.”