NEW YORK _ The Yankees have activated Aaron Judge for Friday night's game against the Blue Jays.
Though Judge is back on the active roster, the club is not ready to let him bat yet but believes his mere presence will give the whole club a lift.
"He's Aaron Judge, a special player and special person," Aaron Boone said Friday afternoon, adding that Judge might play defense or run the bases starting Friday. The Yankees are developing a plan to get him ready to hit in games, but the manager said "He's really close to being an option for us."
Aroldis Chapman also is getting closer to a return, telling reporters he is optimistic he will pitch before the regular season ends.
