There’s no Yankees worry about Aaron Judge’s mortal stretch — here’s why

Is this the week Aaron Judge turns back into Aaron Judge?

Even in the midst of a tough stretch in which he’s struggled for most of the last two weeks, Judge still ranks 13th in the majors in OPS (.907). Only three players had hit more than his 17 home runs entering Monday.

But as the Yankees return to open a homestand Tuesday against Cleveland, arguably the game’s best hitter has had an uncharacteristically turbulent year at the plate, on pace for the lowest batting average of his career.

As Aaron Boone noted Sunday in West Sacramento, Calif., Judge’s somewhat rocky first third of the season has resulted in “good numbers for 100 percent of the league,” but it’s been a stark drop-off from his three previous healthy years — excluding 2023, when he was sidelined with a toe injury.