Yankees' Aaron Judge Can't Look Like This in October

New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge made his long-awaited return from the injured list on Sept. 8, marking his first action since May 31.

The entire atmosphere in the Bronx has shifted since Judge's re-arrival, which is entirely understandable. After all, the Yankees weren't going anywhere in the playoffs without him.

But they also aren't going anywhere if he looks like this, either.

Since his return to the lineup, Judge has gone just 3-for-17 with only one walk and nine strikeouts. He went 0-for-3 with three punchouts in Sunday's win over the New York Mets, and he is yet to log an extra-base hit since coming back.

To be fair, that is to be expected. Judge just missed three-plus months and didn't even embark on a rehab assignment. This is the first time he has seen actual, competitive pitching since the spring, and it's obvious.

The question is whether or not Judge can get his timing back by the postseason.

Chances are, the Captain will be just fine. He's a seasoned veteran and is one of the best players of his generation, so he shouldn't have any significant issues finding his sea legs over the final two weeks of the regular season.

That is, of course, if Judge is still Judge.

Judge is now 34 years old, and while his uncharacteristic numbers this season can largely be chalked up to the fact that he played a month with rib stress fracture before finally making it known, you do have to wonder if Father Time is catching up to the three-time AL MVP.

It's still too early to say that for sure, and to be quite frank, we might not get enough of a sample size to reach a clear verdict until next season. But it is something we need to consider as the 6-foot-7, 280-pound behemoth attempts to regain his footing.

The Yankees have a playoff spot all but locked up. Yes, they are still technically fighting for the AL East division title, but we at least know they are going to the postseason. So Judge shouldn't be facing any pressure in that regard.

But he does need to get himself right before October, or else it's hard to imagine the Yankees doing any damage at all. That's especially if playoff legend Giancarlo Stanton remains sidelined as expected.

There is still time for Judge to become Judge again. But the clock is ticking.