Aaron Judge: Flexing Power on Field, Muscles Off It - Yankees Star Disputes Injury Talk, Blasts 40th Homer

Aaron Judge BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.

Aaron Judge has landed back in the headlines for both his on-field feats and a behind-the-scenes twist of drama with the New York Yankees in the past several days. On the diamond Judge remains the power heartbeat of the Yankees lineup despite an ongoing recovery from a right flexor strain that kept him off the outfield grass since late July. According to MLB.com and ABC7, Yankees manager Aaron Boone caused a stir earlier this week with public comments suggesting Judge might not return to the outfield for the rest of the season due to the lingering effects of his elbow injury. Boone explained on WFAN radio that while imaging showed no acute damage to Judge’s ulnar collateral ligament, the team does not expect him to “throw like he normally does at any point this year” but is prioritizing his ability to represent and protect himself as a player. The takeaway was that his throwing could remain compromised throughout 2025. Naturally, that sparked big headlines and plenty of speculation about Judge's long-term future roaming right field.

In true captain fashion, Judge didn’t let that characterization stand unchallenged. He told reporters he has been long-tossing up to 250 feet and feels significantly better than he did at the start of August. In direct response to Boone, Judge pushed back stating Boone hadn’t actually witnessed him throw recently and he remains optimistic about returning to full strength before year’s end. Boone later softened his stance publicly, acknowledging he may have overstated things initially – a small dust-up that dominated Yankee social chatter and sports talk for a 24-hour news cycle. ESPN and several sports blogs noted Judge’s testy but respectful pushback as a sign of his leadership and self-belief.

On the field Judge instantly showed why his bat matters most, blasting his 40th home run of the year with a monster 429-foot shot against the Rays on August 20, highlighted by MLB.com as part of a historic three-homer outburst by the Yankees lineup. Social media posts and fan cams from the Yankees-Cardinals game last weekend captured Judge going deep as well and confirmed the crowd’s adulation, particularly on Instagram.

Meanwhile, high-profile media personalities like Alex Rodriguez and Colin Cowherd discussed how Judge’s 21 home runs since the All-Star break not only lead the American League but have him on pace to challenge his own home run record pace. Off the field there are no new reported business ventures or endorsements – Judge’s nine-year $360 million Yankees contract continues to rank among the largest in the game. The only family headline this week was a human-interest profile about his brother John Judge, but it was more about support than drama.

Overall, the themes remain classic Judge: superstar production, a candid readiness to defend his health and answers, continued leadership amid uncertainty, and a singular focus on team performance as the pennant race heats up.

Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta