Aaron Judge nears return to Yankees as Paul Skenes shows improvement

Aaron Judge is progressing towards a return to the New York Yankees after being out since late May due to a fractured rib. He commenced batting practice and is cleared to throw, though he still needs to face live pitching before returning to action. Meanwhile, Paul Skenes is showing signs of improvement, with increased velocity noted in his recent performances. The Yankees are carefully balancing Judge's return with their playoff aspirations, likely opting for a gradual approach that may include him starting as a designated hitter upon his activation. The timeline for his return could be within the next two weeks.

• 12:48 PMCBS Sports — Three up, three down: Aaron Judge nears his return as Paul Skenes finally shows signs of a turnaround