Why Aaron Judge expects to return sooner rather than later for Yankees

Aaron Judge has been out of the New York Yankees lineup since June 1 with a fractured rib. 

The three-time MVP has begun baseball activities and could return to the field within the next few weeks. 

MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reports that Judge has hit overhand batting practice in the cage at least once.

Hoch added that the Yankees captain could face live pitching soon, most likely against right-hander Clarke Schmidt, who is rehabbing from Tommy John Surgery. 

Whenever Judge comes back, he does not expect to go on a rehab assignment to get back into the swing of things. 

“I didn't rehab in ‘23 when I missed probably the same amount of time. Why waste at-bats? Why waste anything down in a Minor League game?," Judge told reporters, including Hoch, on Thursday. "I've been doing this for a while now, and I’ve got a sense of what I need to do on the field and how to manage it.”

If Judge skips a rehab assignment, it would give him that much more time to readjust to Major League pitching before the postseason. 

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Obviously, the Yankees are not going to rush his progress. The AL East club wouldn't want Judge to reinjure his rib. 

New York's lineup has been showing signs of fight over the last week, but Judge is the anchor of the offense. 

Without the eight-time All-Star, the Yankees offense ranked at the bottom of MLB in runs per game and OPS. 

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