Overview
- Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he and Aaron Judge are confident the slugger will return to play in 2026 after being diagnosed with a right first-rib stress fracture.
- Judge has not played since May 31 and was placed on the injured list after initially playing through pain from an April play.
- The team has not given a firm return date because doctors are guiding the process and the club wants to avoid setting a public target it might miss.
- Judge was slashing .248/.375/.533 with 17 home runs across 59 games before the injury, so his absence affects MVP odds and the Yankees’ lineup power.
- The Yankees have continued to win games without Judge, and the club faces possible roster or trade choices later in the season depending on his recovery and team needs.