Aaron's Back! (What We Might Expect)
by Paul Semendinger
September 8, 2026
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The king is returning...
The phoenix is rising from the ashes...
Aaron Judge returns to the Yankees lineup tonight!
What should the Yankees expect?
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I decided to look back at all of the times Aaron Judge missed extended time due to injury in his career and see his performance upon his return:
2018 - Judge missed the games from July 27 to September 17
First Game Back: 0-for-4, strikeout
Triple Slash at Time of Injury: .285/.398/.548
The Rest of the Season (12 games): .220, 1 HR, 6 RBI
Triple Slash for the Season: .278/.392/.528
Playoffs (5 games) .421, 3 HR, 4 RBI
2019 - Judge missed the games from April 21 to June 20
First Game Back: 0-for-4, 2 strikeouts
Triple Slash at Time of Injury: .288/.404/.521
The Rest of the Season (82 games): .269, 22 HR, 44 RBI
Triple Slash for the Season: .272/.381/.540
Playoffs (9 games) .265, 1 HR, 2 RBI
2020 - Judge missed all the games until July 23
First Game Back: 2-for-3, RBI, Run, Strikeout
The Rest of the Season (28 games): .257, 9 HR, 22 RBI
Playoffs (7 games): .133, 3 HR, 5 RBI
2023 - Judge missed the games from June 4 to July 27
First Game Back: 0-for-1 (3 walks)
Triple Slash at Time of Injury: .291/.404/.674
The Rest of the Season (57 games): .245, 18 HR, 35 RBI
Triple Slash for the Season: .267/.406/.613
Playoffs The Yankees did not reach the playoffs
2026 - Judge has not played since May 31
Batting Average at Time of Injury: .248
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What seems to be clear is that in seasons when Aaron Judge returns from an extended injury, his performance is lessened almost always across all triple slah stats (Ave, OBP, SLG) compared to what it had been that year.
That being said, Judge still was able to return and hit for power each time he came back. Of course, the one thing that is different this year is that Judge is getting older. He is now 34-years-old and at some point, the body just doesn't bounce back the way it once did.
Only once before has Aaron Judge returned in September after an extended absence - in 2018.
The Yankees have 19 games remaining this year. The Yankees also seem assured (just about, at least) of reaching the playoffs.
Let's hope that the 2026 Aaron Judge performs in the postseason as well as the 2018 version when he mashed three home runs in five games and batted over .400.
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Cover image created through ChatGPT
And while we're at it, why does Judge's undershirt sleeve say "SS" and have an upside-down Nike basketball logo? I mean, if this is part of a campaign to mock AI for being patently stupid and worthless, this is outstanding satire! If it's not . . . well, it's making the same point even if unintentionally.
19 games left for Judge to get in shape for the postseason.
He is due:
AB R H RBI
4 2 3 5
With 2 Home Runs
ALL RISE!
aint no real use in pretending that we've any clue as to whether he's ready or not.
he's been held out about as long as possible if he's to make any further contribution to the Yankees' 2026 season
and, given his demonstrated level of ability, it's now a question of whether he can withstand the discomfort and do the work.
Judge adds a presence. He's got Bellinger, Rice, Garcia Jr., and Spencer Jones. Plus Wells is finally healthy. The lineup is back to more of it supposed to be lineup, no more GLJ hitting 5th, or Ramos batting 3rd. Now. I'm expecting Judge to hit 3rd. I expect Rice to hit in front of him and Bellinger behind him.
But I really was shocked at the DFA of Chase Hampton to make room on the 40. As I commented here numerous times. Hampton never really looked healthy, and with how the Yankees decide who is healthy enough to play, he had NO CHANCE at success. Throw in that Aaron Bossi (High A Mgr) recently admitted that they know that Bryce…