Full Breakdown
Aaron Judge Returns to Yankees Lineup After 99-Day Rib Injury
9/9/2026, 8:40:19 AM
Core Event: Judge’s First Game Back
On Tuesday night the New York Yankees started Aaron Judge in right field and batted him third against the Colorado Rockies. The Yankees won 5–3, but Judge went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and was removed after six innings while New York held a 2–1 lead. Heliot Ramos replaced him in right field for the final innings.
Background & Context
Judge suffered a stress fracture in his right rib while attempting a diving catch at Houston on April 26. He continued to play through the injury until May 31, when the fracture forced him onto the 60-day injured list. The injury kept him out for 99 days and 84 games, the longest absence of his career.
Data & Statistics
- Pre-injury production: .248 batting average, 17 home runs, 38 RBIs, .907 OPS in 59 games.
- Team performance with Judge: 36-23 record (.610 winning %), 5.1 runs per game, .778 OPS.
- Team performance without Judge: 45-39 record (.536 winning %), 4.1 runs per game, .681 OPS.
- Current standing: 81-62 overall, four games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for the AL East lead and two games ahead of the Boston Red Sox for the top AL wild-card spot, with 19 games remaining.
Official Statements & Responses
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the club will “adjust each night” and “build him up smartly,” emphasizing a cautious approach that may limit Judge’s innings and keep him out of the outfield for the remainder of the regular season. The organization also designated right-hander Chase Hampton for assignment to clear a roster spot for Judge’s activation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I'm going to be mindful of that, especially this first week,” — Aaron Boone, new york manager
- “Excited, obviously, to get our guy back," Boone said.” — Aaron Boone, new york manager
- “I wanted to be back June 1, but that didn't happen,” — Aaron Judge, how soon judge
- “I'm not too worried about the power or bat speed,” — Aaron Judge, how soon judge
- “We’ll adjust each night [from] what we see,” — Aaron Boone, new york manager
- “Having Cap back is going to be awesome,” — Spencer Jones
On-the-Ground Reports
Fans gave Judge a standing ovation as he stepped into the batter’s box, and his first at-bat was met with a roar from the Bronx crowd. After his removal, the Yankees’ bullpen preserved the lead, and the team’s offense produced three runs in the final innings.
What’s Next
The Yankees will complete a three-game home series against the Rockies before hosting the New York Mets for a three-game Subway Series. With the AL East race tightening, the club hopes Judge’s gradual return will bolster an offense that has ranked near the bottom of the league in runs scored during his absence. The next critical juncture will be the wild-card race, where a healthy Judge could influence New York’s positioning for the postseason.
