Aaron Judge Targeting September Return, Hopes to Skip Rehab Assignment

Aaron Judge is targeting a return sometime in September and is hoping to come back directly to the major league roster without a minor league rehab assignment, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.

The rehab question matters operationally. A rehab assignment would add a layer of evaluation time before Judge rejoins the Yankees, while skipping one would put him back in the lineup as soon as he's cleared — assuming the club agrees. That part remains unconfirmed. Judge's preference and the Yankees' eventual decision are not necessarily the same thing, and nothing in the report constitutes a formal timetable or medical clearance.

What remains unconfirmed

No return date has been announced. The report reflects Judge's own hopes, not an official club declaration. Whether New York opts to send him through the minors first — standard procedure for extended absences — is still an open question.

The broader picture in New York

The Yankees are navigating a stretch with meaningful roster uncertainty. Reliever Fernando Cruz was diagnosed with a partial UCL tear, with surgery considered likely and his season potentially over, adding pressure to a bullpen that also recently added Michael Fulmer on a major league deal. Against that backdrop, any clarity on Judge's availability carries obvious weight for the club's September outlook — though for now, a target is all it is.