Insider expresses optimism about return of Yankees' Aaron Judge

It appears concerns about New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge possibly missing the rest of the 2023 season are overblown.

ESPN MLB insider Buster Olney expressed optimism about Judge's return to the lineup this summer during a Thursday appearance on "The Brady Farkas Show" that followed Olney hearing Yankees general manager Brian Cashman address the situation on Wednesday. 

"After hearing Brian talk about this yesterday, I walked away and said, 'You know what, they actually think that they have a real chance to have him back,'" Olney explained. "And not necessarily soon. I think they'd be thrilled if he played sometime in July." 

Olney shared his take after SNY's Andy Martino reported that Yankees officials "reiterated Wednesday a strong belief that Judge will play again this season." 

Martino added the Yankees "are cautiously optimistic about (Judge's) recent progress, which includes playing catch and hitting, but not running." 

Judge last played before he suffered a torn ligament in his big right toe during a win at the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 3 that improved the Yankees to 35-25 on the season. At 48-39, New York entered Thursday night trailing the first-place Tampa Bay Rays by eight games in the American League East standings, but the Bronx Bombers held a wild-card playoff spot at that time. 

Judge raised eyebrows when he acknowledged Tuesday he still can't run and is worried his toe won't "ever feel normal." 

Former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber dealt with toe issues throughout his NFL career and has suggested on multiple occasions the reigning AL Most Valuable Player won't be the same force he was earlier in the season after this setback. 

Across his first 49 games of the campaign, Judge hit .291 with 19 home runs and 40 RBI. Per ESPN stats, he'd be leading all of MLB with a 1.078 OPS if he was among qualified players. 

The Yankees finish a home series against the 50-35 Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night. Baltimore held a three-game advantage over the Yankees in the standings before that contest.