Just this week, Aaron Boone had teased that Aaron Judge’s outfield return could pop up “out of the blue.” True to his word, it did. The last time Judge played defense was back in July. Since his return in August from a right flexor strain, he has been restricted to the DH role—all while carefully working through a throwing program behind the scenes. However, his return seemed rushed as he struggled to make an impact defensively.

Right before the game, Boone expressed his excitement about getting Aaron Judge back on the field. “I’m excited to get him back out there. Hopefully it goes well and he continues to build up as we go. Hopefully it’s something that brings us a spark.” Well, the Yankees lost 1-7 to the Toronto Blue Jays in the opening game. Judge’s return didn’t exactly bring the spark that Boone expected.

Aaron Judge, usually a cannon from the right, appeared hesitant. A throw to second base came up short, and consequently, after the game, many concerns were raised around his elbow recovery.

According to Boone, Judge’s return to right field came after a stretch of strong work and detailed talks with the captain and team trainers. Moving forward, Judge is not expected to play right field every day, at least “initially,” per Boone.

Throughout his throwing program, he hardly ever appeared to approach max effort when throwing in front of reporters. However, not every session was open to the media. For now, Aaron Judge will share outfield starts with Giancarlo Stanton.

Stanton, exclusively a DH last year, started playing defense again while Judge was restricted to DH duties over the last month. Currently, he’s hitting. 322/.442/.663 slash line with 43 homers and 97 RBIs—all worthy of a third MVP. But then defensively, he’s clearly not at full strength. Naturally, fans feel he should step back from right field a little longer before pushing himself again.

Judge’s risky return to right field

Aaron Judge’s first game back in right field after weeks of DH duties was supposed to be a positive spark. Instead, it has left Yankees faithful more worried than reassured. One fan summed up the concern bluntly: “He is compromised. Should not be at right field, as he is hurting the team.” Apparently, Judge looked tentative on throws. On a first-inning Blue Jays single, he passed on a potential play at the plate and made a shorter toss to second. It’s unusual of Judge, and thus his return appeared rushed.

Another fan argued from a medical standpoint. “Judge CLEARLY should not be out in RF throwing a baseball. Saying this as a professional trainer. He should be relegated to only hitting for the foreseeable future until he’s 100%. To see this, I’m very surprised, to say the least.” In Aaron Judge’s recent appearances, he often targeted cutoff men or delivered shorter throws rather than full-velocity and on-target throws to the base. His visible hesitancy is exactly what fans and trainers pointed to as proof he’s not ready. At least not yet.

The frustration was mainly with the management. “This franchise is retarded. Why are we sending a judge out there to throw with a compromised elbow? I have it, and shit is not valid.” Right now, Boone himself is uncertain about how much Aaron Judge is going to contribute defensively. When asked if Judge will have any restrictions throwing-wise, he said, “We’ll see.” Right now, fans are calling for Stanton in right field instead of Judge in order to give him the time off he requires.

As a fan noted, “I hope this was just a precaution and not how he’s going to play everything because if this is how he’s going to throw the rest of the year, it should be Stanton out there.” Giancarlo Stanton has already been taking the field and getting defensive reps. We’re right around the playoffs, and the Yankees would require him then more than right now. Until he recovers, the Yankees were urged to use Stanton more in the outfield.

Others turned their anger directly toward the manager. “Great decision to throw him in RF. Gotta love Aaron Boone’s decision-making as a manager f*** rat s**mbag.” Boone was apparently “excited” to get Aaron Judge back in the outfield, only to watch him struggle. It triggered massive backlash from the Bronx. Yankees nation doesn’t see them as the spark Boone promised. Instead, Judge’s return to right field has left them anxious, doubtful, and worried.