Yankees' Judge recovery slow; Fried begins rehab assignment

New York Yankees' superstar Aaron Judge remains on the injured list as he continues to recover from a stress fracture in his right rib. While imaging tests conducted during the All-Star break indicated signs of bone healing, Judge acknowledged that a full recovery is still some way off. He is awaiting further input from another orthopedic specialist to determine the next steps in his treatment plan.

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I feel much better, the last few weeks were really tough, I could do almost nothing, but now it's ten times better.

Judge, who was placed on the injured list on June 5, expressed frustration with the recovery process. "I feel much better, the last few weeks were really tough, I could do almost nothing, but now it's ten times better," he stated. His primary complaint is the inability to resume baseball activities despite feeling significantly improved. The team's medical staff is prioritizing a cautious approach to prevent re-injury, with another imaging scan planned before he can begin baseball-specific training.

The Yankees organization had initially anticipated Judge's return before the end of the regular season, but there is no definitive timeline. Mid-to-late August is considered the most optimistic scenario, though a September return is also possible. Manager Aaron Boone admitted that the team must wait for the bone to fully heal, expressing confidence in Judge's eventual return.

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My biggest complaint is, since the body feels much better, why can't I start moving?

Meanwhile, other key Yankees players are progressing in their recoveries. All-Star left-hander Max Fried began his rehab assignment in Triple-A, pitching three scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Carlos Rodón has resumed throwing bullpen sessions, while Giancarlo Stanton is back to outdoor running. Clarke Schmidt is scheduled to participate in his first live batting practice session on Saturday.

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We just have to continue to wait for his bone to fully heal.