Story perspectives

Yankees' Aaron Judge Still Out, Eyes August Return

7/18/2026

Summary

Judge Healing

Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees captain, remains unable to resume baseball activities because his right rib fracture from the April 26 dive has not fully healed.
Imaging showed partial healing, which Judge called positive.
The Yankees await evaluation by Dallas specialist Dr. Gregory Pearl.
Judge said he will definitely return this season.
General manager Brian Cashman plans a scan at the All-Star break and hopes for an August return.

Summary

Judge Drives Wins

The Yankees have gone 36-23 when Aaron Judge starts and 18-19 when he does not, showing his influence on wins.
Judge’s 2026 slash line dropped to a .248 batting average with 43 home runs, 17 RBI and 5 stolen bases, a decline from his .300-plus averages.
Analysts note that a realistic World Series push likely depends on Judge rejoining the lineup because of his offensive impact.

Summary

Yankees Scout

Yankees front office is scouting batters CJ Abrams, Ryan Jeffers, Adley Rutschman and former Yankee Gleyber Torres.
Team leads with 142 homers but has produced only 56 after Judge’s last game, with offense dropping to a 3.6-run average in the last 17 games, below 4.8-run pace.
GM Brian Cashman said the Yankees must “kick tires” on targets like Jeremy Peña, Isaac Paredes and Christian Vázquez to stay in contention.

Summary

Bellinger Challenges

Cody Bellinger said the Dodgers are the best-record team and the Yankees must be ready for the post-All-Star series.
The Yankees sit at 54-42, three games behind the Rays, and will start the series with Gerrit Cole, Ryan Weathers and Cam Schlittler.
Manager Brian Cashman said the slump involves several players, not just Judge’s absence.
Analysts view a win as a World Series litmus test for New York without its slugger.

History

Historical Context

In April 2009, Alex Rodriguez future Hall-of-Famer tore his left ACL, sidelining the New York Yankees’ marquee slugger for the team and season. Manager Joe Girardi reshuffled the lineup, and rookie pitcher Phil Clemens posted a 3.45 ERA across 150 innings, helping New York post a 95-67 record. The 2009 injury parallels Aaron Judge’s 2024 rib fracture, as both stars’ absences have slashed the Yankees’ run production and altered playoff odds. That precedent shows teams can still reach the World Series despite losing a slugger, prompting New York’s front office to pursue replacements like Jeremy Peña and Gleyber Torres.

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Judge Healing

Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees captain, remains unable to resume baseball activities because his right rib fracture from the April 26 dive has not fully healed.
Imaging showed partial healing, which Judge called positive.
The Yankees await evaluation by Dallas specialist Dr. Gregory Pearl.
Judge said he will definitely return this season.
General manager Brian Cashman plans a scan at the All-Star break and hopes for an August return.

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