Aaron Judge hits his most untimely slump with the Yankees

At times, Aaron Judge looks just one swing away from sparking the fire the Yankees offense desperately needs. But that swing still hasn’t arrived. Since returning from a strain in his right elbow flexor, the Bronx captain has been far from his most feared version—the one that sends balls flying into the bleachers like it’s just another day at Yankee Stadium.

Aaron Judge’s current numbers paint a frustrating picture: just a .211 batting average over his last six games, with no extra-base hits. He’s also struck out 19 times in his last 47 at-bats. It’s a slump that, while not unprecedented in his career, couldn’t have come at a worse time. The Yankees are wobbling down the stretch, having won only three of their last ten games, and their offense is clearly missing its centerpiece.

Timing is everything

Yankees hitting coach James Rowson summed it up in one word: rhythm. “He’s working to get his timing back,” Rowson told The New York Post, noting that Judge is inching closer to finding his groove again. But while that rhythm rebuilds, the Yankees are feeling the absence of his power. Aaron Judge has already racked up 37 home runs and 87 RBIs this season, but he hasn’t gone deep since returning to the lineup.

For now, Aaron Judge is limited to the designated hitter role due to lingering elbow pain that’s keeping him out of right field. Manager Aaron Boone confirmed he won’t return to the outfield during the series against the Twins. Still, No. 99 has managed to string together singles in three straight games, including a clutch hit to tie Friday’s game and another that sealed Monday’s win. Small flashes that suggest the giant may be waking up.

 

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Hope for a turnaround

Boone remains optimistic: “I never think Aaron is far off. It’s just a matter of time before he goes on one of those runs that can carry the team.” But time is running out. The season is entering a critical phase, and the Yankees need more than singles. They urgently need the kind of power that makes Aaron Judge the face of the franchise.

Meanwhile, Gerrit Cole has begun his throwing program after Tommy John surgery, and Will Warren delivered an ace-quality outing just when the Yankees needed it most. But without Aaron Judge’s thunder, the Bronx feels like it’s stuck in neutral.

August tends to follow a familiar script for the Yankees. Injuries, offensive slumps, and the hope that their leader will reignite the spark. Aaron Judge knows it. “There’s always room for improvement,” he said Sunday. And while the phrase may sound like a cliché, in his case, it’s a promise the Yankees faithful are waiting to see fulfilled—soon.