Yankees hopeful Judge can return for stretch run

The New York Yankees haven't had outfielder Aaron Judge's potent bat in their lineup since July 26 thanks to his fractured right wrist. He still isn't swinging a bat because the injury hasn't fully healed.

However, manager Aaron Boone says the reigning AL Rookie of the Year should be back in the Yankees' lineup before the postseason.

"We're still very optimistic that Aaron - it's obviously taken a little longer than we originally thought - but the plan is, and the belief is, that he'll be back," Boone said, according to Coley Harvey of ESPN. "When that is, we're not quite sure, but he'll be back hopefully with plenty of time as we go down the stretch."

Judge was originally expected to miss about three weeks after being hit by a pitch. The ulnar styloid bone is still partially broken and the pain remains, according to Harvey, though Judge says it's improving.

"It's kind of working its way down. We're just trying to get to zero so we can move forward," he said. "I'll wake up one of these days and feel good. Just waiting for that day."

In the meantime, the Yankees acquired outfielder Andrew McCutchen from the San Francisco Giants to fill the void until their All-Star slugger is healthy.