Aaron Judge sidelined again as Yankees move slugger to 60-day IL

Aaron Judge is back on the injured list: again. On July 18, the New York Yankees placed their captain on the 60-day IL after his latest rib scan showed only slight healing, and the club has yet to clear him for baseball activities.

What happened to Aaron Judge?

The Yankees announced Judge’s move to the 60-day IL following imaging that revealed minimal progress on the rib injury he suffered in late May. The club had already shut him down on May 31; the new placement frees up a roster spot but pushes his return well past the All-Star break. Manager Brian Cashman told reporters the team will continue routine imaging to track any improvement, though no timeline for Judge’s return has been set.

Why it matters for Aaron Judge and the Yankees

Former Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer, now a Barstool Sports executive, delivered a blunt verdict on Judge’s importance. “Can they survive? Yes. Can they win and catch the Rays without Aaron Judge? Absolutely not. No chance,” Hosmer told Steven Cheah, Barstool’s VP of Football Operations. He argued Judge’s presence changes not only the Yankees’ lineup but also the team’s MVP odds, and that the Bronx Bombers need “99 in that lineup” to contend.

The Yankees have tried to fill the void. Cody Bellinger and rookie Ben Rice have delivered power numbers, with Rice posting serious exit velocity, but Hosmer insists Judge’s bat and clubhouse leadership remain irreplaceable. The Yankees entered the second half with a series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers at home, underscoring the gap left by their injured captain.

What comes next for the Yankees?

To bolster the bullpen, the Yankees signed right-hander Bradley Hanner to a major-league deal and optioned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The move keeps Hanner on the 40-man roster while Judge remains on the shelf. Cashman said the team will monitor Judge’s recovery through ongoing scans, but for now the Yankees must navigate the AL East without their three-time MVP in the lineup.

Before the injury, Judge had compiled a .248 average, 17 home runs, 38 RBIs, and 53 hits in 51 games. His absence has forced the Yankees to lean on younger bats and veteran arms, yet the front office insists the core remains intact once Judge returns.

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