Full Breakdown
Aaron Judge’s Rib Injury Delays Return, Extending Yankees’ Slump
7/18/2026, 1:23:30 AM
Current Status of the Injury
Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees’ captain, remains sidelined because a stress fracture of his right first rib has not fully healed. An MRI performed during the All-Star break showed “some healing,” but the fracture is still incomplete, and doctors have not cleared him for baseball activities. Judge has not played since May 31, 2026.
Timeline and Medical Updates
The fracture was diagnosed in early June 2026. A scan taken over the All-Star weekend confirmed partial healing, prompting Judge to await further guidance from a specific physician before resuming any on-field work. The Yankees conducted a rehab start with left-hander Max Fried on the Friday following the scan, while other injured players—including Giancarlo Stanton (right calf strain) and Carlos Rodón (left elbow inflammation)—remain on the injured list.
Impact on Team Performance
New York’s record without Judge stands at 18-19 as the club entered the second half of the season at home against the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. While the team was 36-23 when Judge last appeared, its performance has slipped, coinciding with the absence of other key contributors such as Fried and Rodón. Judge is currently batting .248 with 17 home runs and 38 RBIs, but he recorded only one homer in his last 18 games before the injury.
Verbatim Quotes
- “there’s been some healing” — Aaron Judge, outfielder
- “not fully healed.” — Aaron Judge, outfielder
- “I feel good about the fact that he will be back. It's just a matter of when,” — Aaron Boone, Yankees manager
Official Statements & Responses
Manager Aaron Boone expressed optimism about Judge’s eventual return, emphasizing that the timeline remains the only uncertainty. Judge himself described the MRI results as “positive overall” while noting he is waiting for a definitive medical recommendation before engaging in any baseball activities. Both statements underscore a cautious approach aimed at ensuring full recovery before re-entering the lineup.
