Yankees fall to Rangers 8-5 on Aug. 4, 2025, as the bullpen falters. Amid a 4-game skid, the cavalry arrives: Aaron Judge returns to the lineup Tuesday.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another night, another gut-punch loss. A ninth-inning lead evaporates, a tenth-inning walk-off sends everyone home unhappy, and the losing streak stretches to four games. Just as the Bronx faithful were reaching for the panic button after an 8-5 loss in Texas, the news dropped like a thunderclap of hope: Aaron Judge is back. The Captain will return to the lineup Tuesday, and not a moment too soon.
Yeah, he's Aaron Judge. We know what he means to our lineup and to the guys in the room.
It was a painful case of déjà vu for the Yankees on Monday night. Things started promisingly with a Paul Goldschmidt leadoff homer, and lefty Max Fried battled to hand a 5-4 lead to the bullpen after five innings. But the relief corps, once a source of strength, crumbled. Devin Williams surrendered a game-tying, pinch-hit blast to Joc Pederson in the ninth, and Jake Bird served up a three-run, walk-off homer to Josh Jung in the tenth. Despite 10 hits, the offense couldn't deliver the knockout blow, setting the stage for the late-game collapse.
The timing couldn't be more critical. Manager Aaron Boone confirmed that Aaron Judge, who has been sidelined since July 25 with a right elbow flexor strain, will be activated and serve as the designated hitter on Tuesday. Before the injury, Judge was putting together an otherworldly season, leading all of baseball with a .342 average, 37 homers, and 85 RBIs. His presence, even just as a DH, lengthens the lineup and provides a psychological boost that can't be overstated. To make room, outfielder Austin Slater will be placed on the injured list.
While the big-league club struggles, a giant is awakening in the minors. Outfield prospect Spencer Jones is on an absolutely absurd tear, slashing .427/.477/.987 with 12 home runs in his last 18 games. His performance has reportedly made him 'untouchable' in trade discussions and is sparking serious conversations about a potential late-season promotion. Jones's emergence provides a tantalizing glimpse of a future power source, a comforting thought as the current lineup sputters.
The Yankees are at a crossroads with 49 games left to play. Four straight losses have them slipping in the standings, the bullpen is leaking oil, and the offense has been inconsistent. But now, their MVP returns. Can the presence of Aaron Judge alone be enough to stop the bleeding and spark a season-defining run? All eyes will be on the batter's box in Texas tonight.
