Aaron Judge has been diagnosed with a stress fracture, out of the Yankees for good
NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
The New York Yankees could be the best team in the American League in 2026.
First baseman Ben Rice has been one of the best hitters in baseball through the first third of the season. Gerrit Cole is finally back on the big league mound for the first time since 2024. Cam Schlitter was outstanding, Cody Bellinger was excellent in his second season in the Bronx.
But it’s no secret that the Yankees will go as far as Aaron Judge takes them. The world star, at the beginning of the season, looked like he was on his way to another record-breaking season. But he slumped, at least by his standards, in May, putting up “just” an .805 OPS.
On Thursday, we may find out why.
NEW YORK YANKEES GET BAD NEWS ON ARON JAJAJI’S SURPRISING INJURY: ‘WE WANT CLARITY’.
Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees sits on the field before a game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, Calif., on May 29, 2026. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Judge, for the first time this season, did not play in Tuesday’s game. And the Yankees weren’t sure why. On Wednesday, Aaron Boone admitted there was some uncertainty about exactly what the problem was.
“He will go back to take more pictures,” they said The manager of the Yankees he told the media after Wednesday’s game. “They just want to find some specific areas, so we’ll have more on that later.”
“We just want to be clear about what we are dealing with,” he added. Then we can set a course of action and have an idea of what the timeline will be.”
On Thursday, they got that clarification. And while it could be worse for New York, it could also be better.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE DOD’S DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge hits a bat during practice before a game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, Calif., on May 30, 2026. (Neville E. Guard/Imagn Images)
The Yankees announced Thursday night that Judge was diagnosed with a fractured right first rib. It is expected to sideline him permanently, although he will be re-evaluated in 4-6 weeks to see how he is progressing. It’s wrong.
But the silver lining for the Yankees organization and its fans is that “Judge is expected to return at some point this season,” according to a team statement.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees watches from the dugout against the Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium in New York City on June 2, 2026. The Guardians defeated the Yankees 9-4. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
New York has the advantage of playing in the weak American League, all but guaranteeing a postseason berth. Even without Judge for most of the season. But the surprising Tampa Bay Rays are clinging to first place in the AL East, and a division loss could jeopardize a potential first-round pick. And of course, if he doesn’t heal hopefully, this could turn into a season-ending injury.
However, if Judge recovers and returns before October, he immediately makes the Yankees favorites to make a deep run. Even injured, he was one of the best hitters in baseball. Are you healthy? You are a monster.
