The Yankees suddenly have 99 problems, but they really need confirmation that Aaron Judge ain’t one.
No. 99 is slated to return to the lineup Tuesday night in Texas following a 10-day shutdown to relieve the stress — physically for him and emotionally for everyone else invested in the pinstripes — caused by a troublesome flexor strain in his right elbow.
The Yankees updated their bullpen and bench ahead of last week’s trade deadline, but they went 4-6 during Judge’s absence through Monday’s brutal, 10-inning 8-5 road loss to the Rangers in Arlington.
Defensive issues, baserunning blunders and shoddy pitching by their newly acquired relievers and others low-lighted their weekend sweep by the improved Marlins in Miami.
