Aaron Judge returned to the New York Yankees after a 99-day absence caused by a broken rib.

He started in right field and batted third Tuesday night against the Colorado Rockies.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Judge would not play the whole game and would likely have one day off during the series.

Judge had missed 84 games since his last appearance on May 31.

He tried to convince Boone to activate him after centerfielder Trent Grisham strained a hamstring on Friday night.

Boone declined, saying there were final boxes they wanted Judge to check.

Judge took batting practice on Monday and was activated that night after discussions involving Boone, the training staff, general manager Brian Cashman, and owner Hal Steinbrenner.

Judge was injured on April 26 while attempting a diving catch in Houston.

He batted .263 with seven homers in 31 games before going on the injured list.

The Yankees went 45-39 without him, and their batting average during that stretch ranked 29th among 30 major league teams.

Boone said the team hung in there but had stretches of real offensive struggle.

New York entered the game at 81-62, four games behind AL East-leading Tampa Bay and two games ahead of Boston for the top wild card.

Judge hit a career-high .331 with 53 homers last year, winning his third MVP.

Separately, reliever Fernando Cruz decided against Tommy John surgery after a partial elbow ligament tear, and left-hander Ryan Weathers continued his recovery from a forearm strain.