Yankees announce Aaron Judge official return date, cut former top prospect in series of roster moves
The wait is finally over for New York Yankees fans. After more than three months on the MLB injured list, Aaron Judge is officially returning to the Yankees, with the club announcing Monday that it has reinstated its captain from the 60-day injured list. Judge is expected to be back in the lineup Tuesday when New York begins a six-game homestand against the Colorado Rockies.
The Yankees also made a difficult corresponding move, designating former top pitching prospect Chase Hampton for assignment.
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Aaron Judge is officially back
Judge has not appeared in a Major League game since May 31, when he was dealing with a stress fracture in his right rib. The Yankees placed him on the injured list June 5, and his recovery has taken considerably longer than initially hoped.
The 34-year-old slugger has gradually increased his baseball activity over the past few weeks, including running, throwing, and eventually taking batting practice against higher-velocity pitching.
Judge traveled with the Yankees during their recent West Coast trip and continued ramping up his workload. He was expected to return at some point during the upcoming homestand, and the Yankees have now officially confirmed that he is ready.
Before the injury, Judge was hitting .248 with 17 home runs, 38 RBI and a 150 OPS+ in 59 games.
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Yankees make tough decision on Chase Hampton
To make room for Judge on the 40-man roster, New York designated right-hander Chase Hampton for assignment.
Hampton was once considered one of the organization’s top pitching prospects and entered the 2024 season viewed as a potential future rotation piece. However, injuries, including Tommy John surgery that wiped out his 2025 season, have derailed his development.
The right-hander returned this season but struggled badly, posting an 8.18 ERA across 17 appearances.
Now, the Yankees have less than a week to trade Hampton or place him through waivers.
Judge returns at a critical time
The timing couldn’t be much better for New York.
The Yankees are entering the stretch run of the MLB season with the postseason race tightening, and getting their superstar back gives the lineup an enormous boost.
Judge’s return also comes after the Yankees recently placed Trent Grisham on the injured list with a right hamstring strain and recalled Jasson Domínguez.
After months of waiting, Judge is finally ready to help the Yankees make their postseason push.
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