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The New York Yankees could be the best team in the American League in 2026.
First baseman Ben Rice was one of the best hitters in baseball through the first third of the season. Gerrit Cole is finally back on a big league mound for the first time since 2024. Cam Schlitter was exceptional, Cody Bellinger was excellent in his second season in the Bronx.
But it’s no secret that the Yankees will only go as far as Aaron Judge takes them. The global superstar, at the start of the season, appeared to be on his way to another record-breaking season. But he slumped, at least by his standards, in May, posting “just” an .805 OPS.
On Thursday we might have found out why.
NEW YORK YANKEES RECEIVE BAD NEWS ON JUDGE AARON’S MYSTERIOUS INJURY: ‘WE JUST WANT CLARITY’
Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees sits in the dugout before a game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California on May 29, 2026. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Judge, for the first time this season, did not play in Tuesday’s game. And the Yankees haven’t really explained why. On Wednesday, Aaron Boone admitted there was some uncertainty about the exact nature of the problem.
“He’s coming back for more imaging,” said the Yankees manager told reporters after Wednesday’s game. “They just want to have more specific spots, and so we’ll talk about that later.”
“We just want to have some clarity on what exactly we are dealing with,” he added. “Then we can outline the action plan and kind of have an idea of the timeline.”
On Thursday, they had that clarity. And while the situation could have been worse for New York, it could also have been much better.
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New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge bats during practice before the game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California on May 30, 2026. (Neville E. Guard/Imagn Images)
The Yankees announced Thursday night that Judge was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right first rib. He is expected to be ruled out indefinitely, although he will be reviewed in about 4-6 weeks to see how he is progressing. Not ideal.
But the positive side for the Yankees organization and its fans is that “Judge is expected to return at some point this season,” according to the team’s statement.
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Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees watches from the dugout against the Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium in New York on June 2, 2026. The Guardians defeated the Yankees 9-4. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
New York has the advantage of playing in a weak American League, virtually guaranteeing a playoff spot. Even without a judge for much of the rest of the season. But the surprising Tampa Bay Rays hold on to first place in the AL East, and losing in the division could jeopardize a potential first-round bye. And of course, if he doesn’t heal as hoped, it could turn into a season-ending injury.
Still, if Judge recovers and returns before October, he instantly becomes the Yankees’ favorite to make a deep run. Even injured, he was one of the best hitters in baseball. Healthy? He’s a monster.
