The Yankees are heading into the offseason with a familiar mix of optimism and uncertainty, and the biggest health question still starts with Aaron Judge.
Judge’s 2026 season was derailed by a rib fracture, and just as he was trying to work his way back for the postseason, a separate calf injury ended his year for good. At the team’s end-of-season press conference with Aaron Boone, Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner, Judge was still waiting on a follow-up appointment for his rib, but the organization’s message was clear: no offseason surgery is expected, and Cashman said a winter of rest should have him ready for spring training.
Clarke Schmidt’s path looks more straightforward, at least for now. After spending 14 months recovering from Tommy John surgery, he returned for the Yankees in September before being shut down again when he felt right biceps discomfort while warming up in Arizona on September 20. Boone said the move was designed to rule Schmidt out for the postseason and keep him on track for a full return in 2027, which remains the plan unless something changes over the winter.
Fernando Cruz is a different case. He went on the 15-day IL in August, then was moved to the 60-day IL in September after being diagnosed with a partially torn UCL, a diagnosis he did not accept.
He is hoping to avoid surgery, but his status is still very much up in the air. If rest and non-surgical treatment do the job, he could be ready for the start of next season.
If not, or if he has a setback near spring, his spot in the Yankees’ 2027 depth chart becomes shaky. He remains a non-tender candidate.
Angel Chivilli, meanwhile, resumed throwing in late August after dealing with a bone spur in his throwing elbow. His availability for the start of 2027 is still uncertain and will depend on how he gets through the winter.
Kervin Castro is also part of that uncertain group, with the nature of his availability for early 2027 not yet settled.
As for Giancarlo Stanton, the injury picture is less cloudy at the moment. He is reportedly healthy now, even after another lost campaign that added to the frustration around the Yankees’ injury-riddled season.
Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón both opened the year on the injured list before working their way back later on, and Max Fried battled a bone bruise for much of the season before pitching in the postseason. Fried reportedly will not need surgery this offseason.
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And those conversations have not exactly faded on their own. A long list of former Yankees, including Jorge Posada, Derek Jeter, Paul O'Neill, Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia and Joe Girardi, have publicly questioned the clubs culture and fundamentals after the recent playoff exit, while current leadership has tried to wave off the criticism in interviews. The problem for New York is that the noise keeps coming, and it keeps centering on the same uncomfortable theme. [Read more 🡒]
Yankees Fans Will Love Whats Being Reported About A Mantle Classic
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Collectors are calling it a record-setting sale, with some reports putting the price around $50 million, though the details have not been officially confirmed. Even by the standards of the modern card market, that kind of number speaks to how much Mantle still means to Yankees fans and to the wider baseball audience, where a few legendary pieces can still send the hobby into a frenzy. [Read more 🡒]
Yankees Winter Roster Puzzle May Be Pointing To One Versatile Answer
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One name floated as a possible fit is Detroit utility man Zach McKinstry, whose glove and ability to cover multiple spots would give the Yankees another chess piece to work with. The appeal is obvious from the clubs side, especially if it wants to preserve options across the infield and outfield, even if the offensive side of the equation is less certain. [Read more 🡒]