Aaron Judge injury update: Yankees await key test results on rib stress fracture

Aaron Judge’s return to the Yankees lineup could hinge on a critical medical exam this week. Doctors will re-examine the star right fielder’s stress fracture in his right first rib, a setback that has kept him out since May 31 and forced him to miss the 2026 All-Star Game.

What happened to Aaron Judge?

Judge hasn’t played in over six weeks, a stretch that’s derailed the Yankees’ offensive firepower. He hasn’t been able to do upper-body workouts during his rehab, leaving the Yankees without their best hitter in a crucial stretch. General manager Brian Cashman said last week the team doesn’t expect Judge to be fully healed by these tests, but still believes he’ll return at some point this season.

The Yankees (54-42) are three games back of the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East. FanGraphs gives New York a 97.2% chance to make the playoffs, but Judge’s absence looms large over their World Series odds, which sit at 11.2%: the best in the AL.

Why it matters for Aaron Judge and the Yankees

Judge’s absence has forced the Yankees to rely on other bats, including first baseman Ben Rice, who’s been red-hot. Rice crushed an eighth-inning triple on Sunday to spark a comeback win over the Washington Nationals, a game that extended New York’s winning streak to four. But the Yankees know they can’t sustain success without Judge in the lineup.

Manager Aaron Boone called the weekend “terrific” for the club, which had lost 15 of 20 games before the streak. Still, Boone admitted the team’s fate rests partly on Judge’s health. “Hopefully we get some positive news there,” he said, “and we can start moving forward.”

What comes next for Judge?

The medical exam will determine whether Judge can ramp up his rehab or needs more rest. The Yankees hope he returns before the stretch run, but Cashman’s timeline remains fluid. For now, the team presses on without its 6’7” superstar, who was selected to the All-Star Game but couldn’t attend due to injury.

The Yankees’ next steps hinge on Judge’s recovery. If the news is good, he could rejoin the lineup soon. If not, the Yankees may need to adjust their playoff push without their best player for longer than expected.