Aaron Judge made his return to the New York Yankees following a 99-day hiatus — an absence that corresponded precisely to his uniform number.

Having recovered from a fractured rib, Judge took his position in right field and assumed the third spot in the batting order on Tuesday night, as the team opened a series against the Colorado Rockies.

“He won’t feature for the entirety of today’s match, despite his desire to do so,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone remarked.

“He’s likely to be granted a rest day at some stage during this series.”

A three-time AL MVP, Judge had been sidelined for 84 games since his last appearance on May 31.

The 34-year-old attempted to convince Boone to reinstate him after centerfielder Trent Grisham pulled a hamstring on Friday night.

“He actually turned up at my door in San Diego after Grish got injured: ‘Ready to head out tomorrow,’” Boone recalled.

“I was reluctant to agree, as there were a few outstanding matters we were keen for him to address.”

Judge took batting practice at Yankee Stadium during Monday’s off day and was reinstated to the roster that evening.

Boone had held separate discussions with Judge and strength and conditioning coach Brett McCabe, followed by consultations with the athletic training staff, general manager Brian Cashman, and owner Hal Steinbrenner.

“Hal simply wanted to ascertain everyone’s position on the matter, to gauge where we all stood,” Boone remarked.

The judge, who had declined to speak with reporters prior to the game, launched multiple home runs to right, center, and left field during Tuesday's batting practice.

He entered the contest with a .248 batting average, accompanied by 17 home runs, 38 RBIs, and a .907 OPS.

The judge was initially hurt while trying to avoid second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. during a failed diving catch in Houston on April 26, and he batted .263 with seven home runs and 20 RBIs in 31 games before being placed on the injured list.

He had managed only one home run in the 18 games prior to that stint.

Prior to Judge's final appearance on May 31, New York boasted a 36-23 record, yet in his absence, the team's performance dipped to 45-39.

Through May 31, the Yankees had posted a .243 batting average with 86 home runs and a .770 OPS across 59 games; however, during Judge's stint on the sidelines, those figures fell to a .227 average, 107 home runs, and a .681 OPS.

Over that period, their batting average ranked 29th among the 30 major league teams, narrowly surpassing Seattle's .225.

“We held our ground,” Boone said.

“There have been periods when our offense has been a genuine struggle for us.”

According to MLB Statcast, opposing pitchers adopted a somewhat more aggressive approach toward the other Yankees batters during Judge’s absence.

Ben Rice saw his strike rate climb to 48.3%, up from 46.7%, while Cody Bellinger’s rose to 49.7%, an increase from 47.3%.

"His presence creates a ripple effect that yields superior opportunities and more favorable at-bats for everyone," Boone remarked.

"Our lineup is heavily left-handed, and that has been the case for much of the season.

So how often are we facing a left-handed pitcher in the fifth, seventh, and ninth innings, with them exploiting those matchups against us, without ever having to contend with Aaron Judge surrounding those lefties?"

New York entered with an 81-62 record, four games behind AL East-leading Tampa Bay and two games ahead of Boston (80-65) for the top American League wild-card spot.

The Yankees hold a potential head-to-head tiebreaker over the Red Sox, having won the season series.

Judge posted a career-best .331 batting average, belting 53 home runs and driving in 114 runs across 152 games last season, en route to securing his third MVP award and his inaugural batting title.

Reliever Fernando Cruz, who has been out of action since Aug. 25 due to a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, has opted against Tommy John surgery after being evaluated by Texas Rangers team physician Dr. Keith Meister, and he is hopeful of returning to the mound this season.

Cruz received a corticosteroid injection and is scheduled to recommence his throwing regimen later this week.

"If it breaks, it breaks," he said.

"Should you hear a pop or any other sound, that is the moment to proceed to an operation."

Left-hander Ryan Weathers threw off flat ground up to 75 feet as he endeavors to return from a left forearm flexor strain that has sidelined him since Aug. 22.

Weathers intends to take the mound again on Wednesday and Thursday, rest on Friday, and possibly throw from the mound thereafter.

He aspires to secure a bullpen role for the postseason.

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