Aaron Judge returns to Yankees lineup as trade deadline looms

Aaron Judge is set to resume baseball activity as the New York Yankees return from the All-Star break on 18 Jul 2026, hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers for a three-game series.

The Yankees sit three games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East, with every contest now carrying extra weight after last year’s divisional tiebreaker loss to Toronto.

What’s the latest on Aaron Judge?

Judge was scheduled for a re-imaging this week to check on his fractured first right rib, six weeks after landing on the injured list. The Yankees have kept his timetable under wraps, but the scan could reveal whether he’s ready to start ramping up baseball activities.

Meanwhile, Max Fried (elbow bone bruise) may begin a rehab assignment this weekend, with a potential return to the rotation around 1 Aug. Carlos Rodon (elbow inflammation) is also slowly building back up after his last start on 28 Jun.

Why the trade deadline matters for Judge’s Yankees

General manager Brian Cashman insists Judge’s injury status won’t narrow the Yankees’ approach at the 3 Aug trade deadline. “We’re open to try to improve ourselves, period,” Cashman said last week. “We’ll push in on anything that makes sense.”

Cashman hinted upgrades in the bullpen and catching could be priorities, but the Yankees’ willingness to part with prospects like Spencer Jones, Jasson Dominguez, Carlos Lagrange and George Lombard Jr. remains the key question.

Who could step in if Judge isn’t ready?

Lombard Jr., a shortstop-turned-reliever prospect, is big-league ready now despite recent finger strains. Cashman called him “a choice at some point” for the 2026 roster.

Lagrange’s season may be over after a shoulder strain derailed his move to a late-inning relief role in the minors.

What’s next for the Yankees?

The Bronx Bombers open the series against the two-time defending NL West-leading Dodgers on 18 Jul, with Gerrit Cole on the mound. The Yankees need to tighten their grip on a playoff spot while Judge’s health and the trade market dominate the conversation.

And with Fried and Rodon nearing returns, Cashman’s rotation could look very different by the deadline.