New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right rib, the club announced.
He will be shut down for four to six weeks before being re-evaluated.
>>> Jalen Brunson's Discount Contract: Blueprint for NBA Title Contenders
Team officials initially hoped the injury would not be serious, but a series of tests and imaging confirmed the fracture.
Judge avoided thoracic outlet syndrome, yet the diagnosis forces the Yankees to play without their star player for a significant stretch.
The news brings back memories of the 2023 campaign, when the Yankees finished with 82 wins, their worst season in 31 years.
However, the 2026 squad is better positioned to withstand Judge's absence.
In 2023, only Gleyber Torres (122 wRC+) and a declining DJ LeMahieu (100) performed at or above league average.
This season, multiple contributors are thriving: Ben Rice (184), Cody Bellinger (137), José Caballero (105), Trent Grisham (101), and Jazz Chisholm Jr. (100).
Rice is actually outperforming Judge's own 150 wRC+ mark.
The bench also offers production with bats like Paul Goldschmidt and Amed Rosario surpassing league average.
Forthcoming Returns and Trade Market Possibilities
Additional offensive help is on the way. Giancarlo Stanton, sidelined since April 28 with a calf strain, was cleared to resume running last week.
>>> Kenneth Walker Joins Chiefs, Shakes Up 2026 Fantasy Football Landscape
Manager Aaron Boone said Stanton will take live batting practice this weekend and continue ramping up his running.
Stanton will not be activated before the upcoming road trip starting in Cleveland on June 8, but a mid-June return is plausible.
