Overview
- The Yankees confirmed late Thursday that Judge has a stress fracture in the first rib on his right side and will be sidelined indefinitely while he rests and limits activity.
- The team’s medical plan calls for follow-up imaging in approximately four to six weeks to assess healing and decide next steps with the club hopeful he can return this season.
- Judge’s absence forced roster changes in the outfield with José Caballero filling in and hitting a homer, but New York still dropped a 5-4 game to the Cleveland Guardians in the same series.
- Gerrit Cole surrendered four earned runs on three home runs in his third start back, highlighting rotation volatility that, combined with recent offensive inconsistency, increases pressure on the Yankees’ bullpen and lineup.
- The loss left New York 36-25 and one game behind the Tampa Bay Rays for the AL East lead and could prompt short-term lineup adjustments or roster moves depending on Judge’s re-imaging results.