The Yankees have privately expressed optimism that Judge (ribs) will be ready to play when the MLB season begins in late July, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though MLB's three-plus-month shutdown has likely benefited Judge as he heals up from a fractured rib and partially deflated lung, his status for Opening Day -- which is expected to fall July 23 or 24 -- won't be determined until at some point after the Yankees resume full-team workouts next week. When the Yankees last updated Judge's status three weeks ago, the slugger had yet to swing a bat, so it's far from a given that he'll be fully recovered from the injury by the time games begin. Judge has shown in the past that he doesn't need a full season of at-bats to post big power numbers, but the high risk he has of missing games will loom larger than normal in an abbreviated campaign.