Aaron Judge made his highly anticipated return from a fractured rib on Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies. The New York Yankees outfielder went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and was removed after six innings during the team's 5-3 victory. Manager Aaron Boone confirmed the club will ease Judge back into action, noting he will take one of the next two nights off before the Subway Series against the Mets begins Friday.

Judge was activated directly from the injured list after facing live pitching Monday, having last played May 31. Before his injury, the Yankees ranked fourth in major league runs scored; during his absence, they slumped to 26th. Judge batted .248 with 17 home runs and a .907 OPS in 59 games before the injury.

The Yankees currently trail the Tampa Bay Rays by four games in the AL East but hold a two-game lead for the top wild-card spot with 19 games remaining.