MINNEAPOLIS — There is a stark difference between manager Aaron Boone expressing optimism about Aaron Judge’s visual readiness in his first week back from a three-month injured list stint, and the captain actually going out on the field to deliver a majestic, crushing blow.
Judge made good on that confidence Monday night, looking every bit like his former self by clobbering a three-run home run to the third deck in left field, powering the Yankees to an 8-3 victory over the Twins at Target Field while officially clinching their postseason berth.
“It feels like Judge is back,” said José Caballero.
While the tape-measure estimate registered the blast at 397 feet, the sheer impact of the hit felt as though it washed away any lingering concerns regarding Judge’s timing, especially after he entered the at-bat going 3-for-20 with one walk and 11 strikeouts in his first five-plus games back.
“It feels good — just like the other swings, except I actually made contact this time, which is a step up from my previous attempts,” said Judge, who had grounded into a double play and struck out twice in his first three at-bats on Monday. “But I’m just trying to improve every single day. I know the ultimate goal is to be fully prepared for the postseason, but there are some crucial games over the next couple of weeks where I need to be ready to contribute. So, I’m just happy I could help the team tonight.”
His teammates were even more effusive about the promising potential that this powerful swing signaled for the team’s future.
“Oh my goodness, that was quite a shot,” Ben Rice remarked. “What a swing. You could really get used to seeing that, especially at this time of year.”
Rice appeared to help Judge anticipate Twins lefty A.J. Minter’s pitches, waving his hands before the pitch on a changeup but remaining still on the inside cutter that Judge ultimately clobbered for his first home run since May 24.
As much help as the Yankees hope to provide around Judge as they head toward the postseason, their ultimate hopes and dreams center on the back-to-back AL MVP and his impact in the batter’s box, even after missing a large portion of the regular season and returning without a minor-league rehab assignment.
“I’ve been pleased,” Boone said. “I haven’t been the least bit concerned about anything. … He’s not all the way to where he’s going to get to, but he’s got 20-plus at-bats now, which I think is valuable. We still have a couple of weeks to go, and he’s only going to get hopefully sharper as we head to the finish line.”
As of Monday afternoon, Boone’s plan was to give Judge the series finale on Wednesday off, followed by the team’s Thursday off-day, before putting him “pretty much” at full go for the final three series of the regular season.
