Before the gates opened at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, Aaron Judge took an important step in his comeback by standing in the batter’s box during a live batting practice session. Though he refrained from swinging, this was part of his ongoing rehab progress following a right flexor tendon strain, with the Yankees hopeful for a potential return as early as August.

Tracking Live Pitches to Maintain Timing

During the session, Judge focused on tracking pitches thrown by right-hander Mark Leiter Jr., which provides valuable timing practice against live pitching beyond the controlled environment of batting cages. While Judge has been engaging in light hitting, observing these live throws marks a significant advancement in his recovery process.

Gradual Return with Focus on Health

The Yankees remain cautious with Judge’s return, aiming first to have him back as a designated hitter before gradually moving him into defensive duties. On the same day, Judge participated in outfield drills by tracking and catching balls, though he avoided throwing them back with full effort, opting instead for light tosses.

Leiter Jr. Progresses in Recovery as Well

Meanwhile, Mark Leiter Jr. is also making progress, recovering from a stress fracture in his left fibula. Having resumed mound throws, Leiter is on track for a possible return during the upcoming series in Texas, contingent on a smooth rehab process. Yankees manager Aaron Boone highlighted the team’s need for bullpen depth, particularly in middle innings, where Leiter had been a key contributor before his injury.

Internal Boosts Amid Ongoing Team Challenges

Although these individual developments do not resolve the broader challenges facing the Yankees, the forward steps by Judge and Leiter provide some relief as injuries accumulate and the trade deadline nears. Their rehab progress signals positive momentum within the team’s internal options moving forward.