Judge Heads To The Injured List
The New York Yankees will be without Aaron Judge for an extended stretch after the team announced that the three-time MVP is headed to the injured list with a right rib injury.
The injury raises immediate questions about the Yankees’ lineup, their position in the AL East race and how aggressively the front office may need to act before the trade deadline.
Severity Still Not Fully Clear
The Yankees have not provided a definitive return date for Judge.
Based on the team’s description, the injury appears similar to the rib issue he dealt with after diving for a ball in September 2019. He was later diagnosed with a stress fracture in one of his right ribs and a partially collapsed lung during the following spring training.
Return Before All-Star Break Looks Unlikely
The Yankees said Judge will be re-imaged in four to six weeks.
That means the earliest he could be cleared to resume baseball activities would be about four weeks from now. After that, he would likely need additional time to ramp up and potentially complete a rehab assignment.
Worst-Case Scenario Avoided
The good news for New York is that Judge is expected to return this season.
Before the diagnosis was announced, the Yankees had him evaluated by Dr. Gregory Pearl, a thoracic outlet syndrome specialist in Dallas. A thoracic outlet issue would have been far more serious and could have ended Judge’s season.
Spencer Jones Gets The First Opportunity
For now, Spencer Jones appears to be the most likely player to take over Judge’s outfield role.
The 25-year-old power-hitting prospect is being called back up to replace Judge on the roster and can play all three outfield positions.
Jones Brings Arm Strength And Speed
Jones started three games in right field during his first major league stint last month.
A former pitcher, he has a strong throwing arm and enough athleticism to handle the position defensively while adding power upside to the lineup.
Bellinger Could Shift Later
The longer-term outfield plan could change once Jasson Dominguez returns from the injured list.
At that point, Cody Bellinger could move from left field to right field, giving the Yankees a more experienced option in Judge’s usual spot.
Stanton Unlikely To Play Much Outfield
Giancarlo Stanton is another theoretical option, but that scenario appears less likely.
Stanton played right field last season when Judge was dealing with a right elbow flexor strain, but he is currently returning from a calf injury and has only recently resumed live at-bats. The Yankees would likely prefer to keep him out of the field.
Other Depth Options Remain
Jose Caballero, Max Schuemann and Amed Rosario could also see time in right field.
Caballero started there earlier in the week against Cleveland before Schuemann got the start in the series finale.
Ben Rice Must Keep Producing
The Yankees still have a major lineup anchor in Ben Rice.
Rice trails only Yordan Alvarez in OPS among all major league hitters, making his continued production especially important while Judge is unavailable.
Power Needs To Come From Others
The Yankees lead the majors in home runs, but Judge and Rice have accounted for 38% of the team’s total.
That means other hitters will need to provide more power if New York wants to maintain its offensive edge.
Chisholm And Grisham Under Pressure
Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Trent Grisham are two players who need to step up.
The pair combined for 65 home runs in 2025 but are currently on pace for only 37 in 2026. Their reduced power output has contributed to a decline in the Yankees’ overall production against right-handed pitching.
Yankees Can Survive In The AL East
Despite losing Judge, the Yankees still have a strong chance to remain competitive in the division.
They entered Friday only a half-game behind the Tampa Bay Rays, and their plus-93 run differential is far stronger than Tampa Bay’s plus-5, suggesting New York’s overall team quality remains higher.
Run Differential Favors New York
Even removing Judge’s 17 home runs, the Yankees have still outhomered the Rays by a wide margin.
Tampa Bay has benefited from a strong record in one-run games, while New York has struggled in those situations. Those numbers could normalize as the season continues.
Starting Pitching Gives Yankees An Edge
The Yankees also hold an advantage in starting pitching.
With Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon in the rotation and depth behind Cam Schlittler, New York remains well positioned, even with Max Fried currently on the injured list.
Division Odds Still Favor The Yankees
FanGraphs gives the Yankees a 69% chance of winning the AL East, compared with 24% for the Rays.
The Orioles, Blue Jays and Red Sox have not shown enough consistency to appear like major division threats at this stage, leaving the race primarily between New York and Tampa Bay.
Trade Deadline Plans Could Change
Judge’s injury could increase pressure on the Yankees to pursue another established hitter before the trade deadline.
However, adding an outfielder is not necessarily urgent because the team has internal options and Judge is still expected to return this season.
Infield And Catcher Remain Priorities
The Yankees’ more obvious offensive needs remain on the left side of the infield and at catcher.
The challenge is that quality bats may be difficult to acquire this early, especially with many underperforming teams not yet ready to sell.
A Major Test, Not A Season-Ender
Judge’s absence is a serious setback, but it does not end the Yankees’ season or erase their division hopes.
The team’s pitching depth, run differential and remaining offensive talent give it enough to stay afloat. The next few weeks will test whether Rice, Chisholm, Grisham and the club’s young outfield options can keep New York steady until its captain returns.
