Aaron Judge Plans DH Return From Flexor Strain; No First Base Option

New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge has been placed on the injured list with a flexor strain in his right elbow after an MRI found no acute damage to his ulnar collateral ligament, alleviating fears of a long-term layoff. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection and is expected to return in 10 days to two weeks, initially serving as a designated hitter before resuming outfield duties; playing first base is not being considered. While there's no acute damage to his ulnar collateral ligament, the injury has influenced the Yankees' cautious approach to the trade deadline. Judge, who currently leads MLB with a .342 batting average and 1.160 OPS with 37 home runs, continues to build a strong Hall of Fame case in his 10th season.