Aaron Judge tests rib stress fracture as Yankees plot late-season push

Aaron Judge will undergo tests this week on his right rib stress fracture, a setback that has kept the Yankees’ 35-year-old three-time MVP out since June 1.

What’s happening with Aaron Judge’s injury?

The Yankees expect Judge’s rib won’t be fully healed, but they’re hoping for enough improvement to let him start light upper-body workouts. That’s the first step toward a potential return to the field. The team has been shut out of Judge’s bat for 37 games, and the offense has cratered without him.

Before Judge went on the injured list, the Yankees ranked fourth in MLB runs (305 in 59 games) and second in weighted runs created plus (wRC+). Since then, they’ve plummeted to 22nd in runs (157) and 23rd in wRC+ (93). No team could replace a player of Judge’s caliber, and the Yankees’ offense has felt the void.

Why Judge’s return matters for the Yankees

Judge is the Yankees’ best hitter and their biggest offensive engine. Without him, the lineup has leaned on Ben Rice, but even Rice can’t carry the load alone. The Yankees need Judge back to stabilize their attack, especially with Giancarlo Stanton (right calf strain) also sidelined since April 24.

If Judge returns by Sept. 1, he’d have enough time to rebuild his game shape for October. The Yankees are just three games back in the American League East despite their recent struggles.

The Yankees’ shaky shortstop situation

The Yankees have signaled they don’t fully trust Anthony Volpe at shortstop. Volpe started just one of four games against the Tampa Bay Rays and one of three against the Washington Nationals. His 95 wRC+ ranks alongside José Caballero’s, and Volpe’s defensive metrics, while better in Outs Above Average, haven’t convinced the front office.

George Lombard Jr. began a rehab assignment Monday after spraining his fingers. The Yankees’ top prospect could return to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre soon. If Lombard stays healthy and produces, he might force his way into the lineup before September roster expansions.

“He’s been pushing himself before the injury,” said Brian Cashman, the Yankees’ general manager. “Definitely was thriving and conquering the final level.”

Can the Yankees add at the trade deadline?

The Yankees boast the best bullpen ERA in the American League (3.10), but they still need offensive upgrades. Judge’s absence exposed holes in the lineup that won’t be filled by internal moves alone. The front office could target a bat before the July 30 deadline to bolster their playoff push.

The Yankees return Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but their fate hinges on Judge’s health and their ability to find run production elsewhere.