New Aaron Judge Injury Update Reveals Potential Yankees Return Timeline Amid Rehab From Rib Issue

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, who has been out for three months (stress fracture of first rib on right side), will join his team on its upcoming West Coast road trip, which will feature the team playing three games apiece against the Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres from Monday through next Sunday, per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

Judge could make his return on his team's next homestand, which will run from Sept. 8-13 against the Colorado Rockies and New York Mets.

"And it's still undecided whether he will indeed require a rehab assignment in between. Judge, in his pregame work, could replicate much of what he would do in minor league games. He also could hit off advance pitching machines that simulate major league pitchers. The question is whether the Yankees would want him to build up in game conditions and get his legs under him before returning to major league action."

Judge played over a month after initially suffering the injury while attempting a diving catch against the Houston Astros on April 26 . He still amassed 17 home runs and 38 RBI while posting a .907 OPS in 59 games.

The Yankees were 36-23 through May 31, but they have only been five games over .500 (40-35) since then through Game 1 of their doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday. New York's offense has been dormant at times, including lately, with the team scoring just two runs over their last three games.

The Yankees look all but certain to make the playoffs, but they are running out of time to chase the Tampa Bay Rays for the AL East title. Tampa Bay is five games ahead of the Yankees heading into Saturday evening.

Getting Judge back would certainly help in the division race. It may be too late, unfortunately, with the regular season's conclusion rapidly approaching on Sunday, Sept. 27. However, Judge would be back well in time for the beginning of the playoffs, which start that week.

In the meantime, New York got a key reinforcement back in outfielder Cody Bellinger, who returned after missing a month with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain.