Yankees: Nestor Cortes nearer to return but wait for Aaron Judge drags on

The New York Yankees are torn between positive injury updates and crippling uncertainty.

The AL East standings are an absolute bloodbath right now. The New York Yankees are 8-9 in the month of June and are subsequently only a half-game up on Toronto for third place in what’s shaping up to be a tightly contested wild card race.

Luckily for New York fans, there’s plenty of time left to turn the ship around. The season isn’t even halfway over yet. That said, Aaron Boone and company need to look inward and start trying to diagnose what exactly is wrong.

Injuries have, unfortunately, been a significant part of the Yankees’ 2023 story. It’s hard to be too optimistic about the Yankees’ immediate turnaround when Aaron Judge’s status is so murky. And, while the Yankees have some positive injury news on the docket today, Judge remains ambiguously absent.

New York Yankees fans get positive update on Nestor Cortes but still no news on Aaron Judge

Lefty pitcher Nestor Cortes is one week away from starting to throw off a mound. While that doesn’t necessarily imply an imminent return, the Yankees would love to get Cortes back in the fold as soon as possible. Earlier in the month, he was diagnosed with a shoulder strain requiring two weeks of rest.

Cortes has a 5.16 ERA in 11 starts this season, giving up 58 hits compared to 59 strikeouts in 59.1 innings pitched. He’s 5-2 on the mound. Those aren’t the best numbers, but Cortes made his first All-Star appearance last season with a 2.44 ERA, so he’s due for positive regression. Especially if he comes back at 100 percent strength.

The Yankees’ pitching has been a real point of weakness lately, including a 10-run game from the Mariners and a 15-run game from the Red Sox within the last week. New York’s offensive woes are fixable long-term, but it won’t matter if the starters can keep the opposition off the scoreboard. Cortes can provide much-needed support.

As for Judge, the lack of clarity is naturally concerning. Judge tweaked his ankle stumbling over the Dodgers’ fence earlier in the month and has since been placed on the IL. There are signs of positive news on the horizon, but the Yankees continue to play coy with injury announcements, which will lead to speculation about how close Judge actually is to returning.

Judge was right on track for another MVP season prior to the injury, batting .291 at the plate with 19 home runs and 40 RBIs. He’s the best offensive player in the American League depending on who you ask, so one has to imagine his return — be it a week from now or five weeks from now — will be a tremendous boon for the Yanks’ wayward offense and their injury-ravaged outfield.

Obviously, the Yankees are hoping it’s sooner than later.