Yankees manage Aaron Judge’s cautious return amid rib injury frustration

Aaron Judge made his first appearance in 100 days on Wednesday, returning to right field for the Yankees despite a lingering right rib stress fracture. Manager Aaron Boone acknowledged Judge’s displeasure at being pulled after six innings in his previous start and noted the player’s desire to stay in the game, yet emphasized the club’s priority to manage his workload carefully. Boone suggested Judge might not see a full nine innings and could be omitted from Thursday’s series finale versus the Colorado Rockies as part of a gradual buildup.

The Yankees are also looking ahead to Friday’s Subway Series opener against the Mets on the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11. Meanwhile, reliever Clarke Schmidt logged his fourth rehab outing with Double-A Somerset, working toward a return after Tommy John surgery. Before the game, the team observed a moment of silence for former right-hander Rollie Sheldon, who died last week after winning two World Series titles in the early 1960s.