In the heart of Boston, Aaron Boone faced the press, and his words about Aaron Judge left Yankees fans holding their breath. The skipper couldn't provide a clear timeline for Judge's return, leaving many to wonder when their star slugger might rejoin the lineup. The Yankees have been without Judge since May 31, and while the initial prognosis suggested a six-week absence, here we are four weeks in, and the horizon remains murky.
For a team clinging to its first-place status, the absence of their captain is a significant hurdle. Boone's cautious language on Friday, ahead of a 6-1 loss to the Red Sox, hinted that Judge's return might not be as imminent as hoped.
Yankees reporter Bryan Hoch captured Boone's uncertainty when asked about Judge's progress. "I don’t know," Boone admitted.
"We’re probably not ready to go down that road yet, with where he’s at."
This isn't just about semantics. Before Judge can even think about a minor league rehab stint, he needs to be back to full baseball activities.
Boone's comments suggest that Judge hasn't reached that critical point yet, putting multiple steps between him and a return to the Bronx. A pre-August comeback seems increasingly unlikely unless Judge can ramp up his activities soon and move to a rehab assignment by late July.
The root of the caution lies in the injury itself-a stress fracture of the first rib on his right side. Initially thought to be a bone bruise, further tests revealed the more serious fracture. The pain, felt in his right shoulder during swings, was something Judge managed for weeks before being sidelined.
Judge's absence is felt deeply in the lineup. Before the injury, he was batting .275 with 16 homers and a 1.047 OPS, numbers that make him a nightmare for opposing pitchers.
A three-time American League MVP, Judge is the linchpin of the Yankees' offensive strategy. Despite the uncertainty, Boone remains optimistic about a 2026 return, citing medical evaluations as the basis for his confidence.
But Judge isn't the only Yankee on the mend. The injury list reads like a who's who of the roster.
Giancarlo Stanton has been out since April 24 with a right calf strain. There's some progress-Stanton has begun low-volume workouts, but his running remains a question mark.
He was hitting .256 with three homers before the calf issue, which reared its head again during a June 11 base-running session.
Trent Grisham, out since June 13 with a right hamstring strain, is closer to a return. He's back with the team and resuming baseball activities, with a rehab assignment on the horizon if all goes well. Grisham's overall numbers are solid, but he's struggled since joining the Yankees.
Meanwhile, Max Fried, a crucial left-hander in the rotation, might face live hitters soon, though that's not set in stone.
Despite these setbacks, the Yankees have held firm, boasting a 48-33 record and leading the American League East. This strong position allows the front office to exercise patience, ensuring Judge heals fully before making his comeback. Boone has emphasized the importance of the long game, with October in mind rather than rushing a July return.
Yet, the offense isn't quite the same without Judge. His presence alters how pitchers approach the lineup, and without him, players like Ben Rice, Cody Bellinger, and Jasson Dominguez have had to step up. They've managed to fill the void but haven't fully replaced him.
As the trade deadline looms on August 3, the Yankees face decisions about how aggressively to pursue reinforcements. The clearer Judge's recovery timeline becomes, the better they can strategize.
But for now, the Yankees and their fans must continue to wait, hoping for a swift recovery for their captain. Boone's latest update didn't bring Judge any closer to the field, but it did underscore the journey still ahead before he's back in pinstripes.
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For the Yankees, the question is whether that is the kind of swing worth taking or whether a cheaper reliever might make more sense if they want to preserve flexibility. Houstons posture adds another layer to the wait-and-see mood, since there is no guarantee Hader is even truly in play. If he is not, New York may have to decide whether to chase a bigger name or trust its own pitching people to turn a lesser arm into a useful late-inning option. [Read more 🡒]