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New York Yankees: Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton nearing return

ByDavid Hill|
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 31: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates his third inning two run home run against the Boston Red Sox with teammate Giancarlo Stanton #27 at Yankee Stadium on July 31, 2020 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Red Sox 5-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 31: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates his third inning two run home run against the Boston Red Sox with teammate Giancarlo Stanton #27 at Yankee Stadium on July 31, 2020 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Red Sox 5-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The New York Yankees may be getting some reinforcements soon, as Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are getting closer to a return.

The New York Yankees have needed some good news of late. They are barely clinging to a playoff berth, posting a 6-15 record in their past 21 games. James Paxton, who the Yankees were counting on to solidify the middle of their rotation, may not return this year. The Yankees are not even the best team in New York, as that honor belongs to the Blue Jays.

But there is some positive news for the Yankees. Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are set to get at bats at the Yankees’ alternate site this weekend, and should they not have any setbacks, could be activated shortly thereafter.

Neither player has been healthy this season, with a combined 32 games between them in 2020. Judge had been on the Injured List before, spending two weeks on the shelf before returning for a single game, where he hurt his calf again. Stanton, meanwhile, has been sidelined due to a strained hamstring.

The Yankees certainly miss what both players can bring to the lineup. If healthy, they are two of the premier sluggers in the league, providing two dangerous hitters to the Yankees lineup. But the caveat of ‘if healthy’ has to apply to both hitters.

Judge and Stanton have been excellent when on the diamond this season. Stanton had produced a .293/.453/.585 batting line in his 54 plate appearances, hitting three doubles and three homers. Judge had been putting together an MVP caliber season when he hit the shelf, as he had put together a .292/.343/.738 batting line with nine homers in his 71 plate appearances.

In theory, getting Judge and Stanton back for the final week or two of the season could be enough. Their powerful bats may be able to keep the Yankees in one of the final playoff spots, which would make them one of the more dangerous lower seeds. They just need to tread water for another few games.

Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are closing in on a return. The New York Yankees desperately need both of their bats in the lineup right now.

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