Giancarlo Stanton will return to the Yankees' lineup in right field on Tuesday after missing three games with general soreness, while Aaron Boone provided little clarity on Aaron Judge's future field status beyond a cautious approach. Judge, limited to designated hitter duties since Aug. 5, is battling a thumb issue and has no timetable for a field return. Trainers will give a thumbs up before any on-field action, with long toss expected but not a Tampa return this week. New York entered the week with a three-game lead for the final AL wild-card spot after sweeping St. Louis, and they’ll lean on Judge’s bat if he stays productive while managing risk in the outfield. Stanton, hitting .299 with 12 homers and 34 RBIs, adds steadiness but carries a long injury history that tempers expectations for him in the outfield. Boone also noted Judge’s fielding health could influence how the Yankees deploy their outfield mix going forward, especially with Judge's health remaining uncertain for the rest of the season.

Judge's elite line—batting .333 with 39 HRs, 91 RBIs, and a 1.134 OPS entering the week—gives the Yankees star power, but the team must balance production with risk if he can't throw or play the field. Stanton has surged back into action after tendinitis issues in both elbows delayed his debut until mid-June, and his recent soreness has limited his recent outfield work. The combination of Stanton's bat and Judge's health will shape New York's lineup decisions as they chase the postseason, with the wild-card battle heating up and the clock ticking on Judge’s readiness for full positional impact.