The superstar outfielder has been dealing with a flexor strain in his throwing arm, more specifically his elbow, and while he’s on the field, it’s clear that he’s hampered by it.

But the Yankees, who are in a heated playoff race, can’t afford to lose him in the final month of baseball season.

New York currently sits two games behind the American League East-leading Toronto Blue Jays, but hold a five-game stranglehold atop the Wild Card standings.

And with uncertainty rising in the Bronx, the decision to shut Judge down until the playoffs may have to be on the table.

But what if it doesn’t get to that point? What if the Yankees decide to shut Judge down and it creates a massive free fall in the final three weeks of the season?

Anything can happen in baseball, but trends point to it potentially not getting to that point though. 

The Blue Jays have currently lost two straight games, and have gone 5-5 in their last 10 games, while the Yankees have won seven out of their last 10 games. 

Judge, in the past five games has found his way on base several times, but his ability to drive runs has quickly diminished.

Since the turn of the month, Judge hasn’t gone yard once, nor has he driven in an RBI.

His injury was even more evident in Sunday night’s 4-3 win against Toronto.

Ernie Clement of the Blue Jays hit a double to right field, where Judge was slotted, and as he fielded it and threw it to second, his throw clocked in at 70 mph as opposed to his usual 90 mph arm, according to Dan Martin of the New York Post.

A few other times in the game, Martin noticed Judge’s inability or reluctance to throw the ball. But one situation occurred when George Springer hit a double to right field, and as Judge attempted to throw him out, the throw clocked in at 62 mph.

Can he still field the ball? Absolutely. He saved the game after making a diving catch from a ninth inning Springer line-drive.

But do the Yankees really want to risk putting their superstar at risk this close to October?

If you're manager Aaron Boone, you have to wonder about the possibilities at hand.

Judge’s production is near-impossible to be replicated, but New York is getting quality production from Trent Grisham, Cody Bellinger, Ben Rice, and Jasson Dominguez.

It may be in New York’s best interest to hold him off until October, because if not, and Judge continues to wither away his throwing arm, it risks severely injuring him more.