Judge returns to Yankees lineup after rib fracture

Aaron Judge made his long-awaited return from a fractured rib Tuesday night in the New York Yankees' 5-3 win over the Colorado Rockies, taking three at-bats in six innings before he was removed from the game as the club eases him back into action. Judge went hitless with two strikeouts and a flyout and did not get a ball hit to him in right field.

Judge had not played in a game since May 31, about a month after suffering a rib stress fracture diving for a ball. The Yankees activated Judge without him needing a rehab assignment after he faced live pitching Monday for the first time since going on the injured list, and he returned to New York's lineup batting third, asymptomatic.

Judge was removed from the game with the Yankees leading 2-1, and he was not pleased about it, discussing his feelings with manager Aaron Boone in the dugout before Heliot Ramos replaced him in right field. Ramos went on to hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning. "I respect what he said," Judge said of his talk with Boone. "Whatever he said, I'm going to do. But I'm not happy about it."