Aaron Judge Faces Long Recovery, Delays All-Star Appearance

**Aaron Judge** was placed on the Yankees' injured list on June 5, 2026 after a stress fracture in his rib forced him out of action. The injury, sustained while making a diving catch on April 26, means he will miss the July 14 All‑Star Game in Philadelphia and likely won’t return until mid‑August at the earliest.

On April 26, 2026 Judge collided with the ground while attempting a spectacular diving grab in the outfield. Imaging later confirmed a stress fracture in his right rib. He tried to play through the pain for over a month, but the discomfort grew intolerable, prompting the Yankees to move him to the 10‑day injured list on June 5. The move ended his streak of consecutive games played and opened a roster spot for the club.

Despite the injury, Judge earned his sixth straight American League All‑Star starting spot on July 4, 2026, marking his eighth career selection. Fans voted him, alongside Mike Trout and Byron Buxton, as one of the AL’s starting outfielders. However, with the rib fracture still unrepaired, he will almost certainly sit out the July 14 game at Citizens Bank Park. The league announced the news on the same day, noting the bittersweet nature of the honor.

Before hitting the injured list, Judge appeared in 59 games for New York. He posted a .248 batting average, belted 17 home runs, drove in 38 runs, and posted a .533 slugging percentage with a .907 OPS. He also collected 53 hits. Those stats kept him in the conversation for the All‑Star vote and underscored his value to the Yankees’ offense despite the shortened season.

Judge addressed the media on July 1, saying he would wait for clearer imaging before giving a detailed update. ESPN’s Buster Olney reported the next day that the star is at least six weeks away from returning, suggesting a possible comeback in mid‑August or early September. The Yankees have not announced a specific activation date, but the medical staff will likely follow the imaging results before making a move.

Losing Judge removes a key power bat from the lineup during a crucial stretch of the season. His presence in the middle of the order has historically driven run production, and his defensive range in right field adds value beyond the slugger label. The team will need to rely on younger players and veterans to fill the void while Judge rehabilitates.

Judge will continue a rehab program focused on rib stability and core strength. He hinted that once imaging is satisfactory, he’ll provide a full update. Fans can expect a press conference once the medical team clears him for a return. Until then, the Yankees will monitor his progress closely, hoping the star can rejoin the lineup before the playoff push.