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The New York Yankees may be the best team in the American League in 2026.
First baseman Ben Rice has been 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 has been outstanding, Cody Bellinger has been outstanding in his second season in the Bronx.
But it’s no secret that the Yankees will only go as far as Aaron Judge will take them. The all-world superstar, early in the season, looked like he might be on his way to another record-setting season. But he slumped, at least by his standards, in May, putting up “just” an .805 OPS.
By Thursday, we might have found out why.
NEW YORK YANKEES GET BAD NEWS ABOUT AARON JUDGE’S MYSTERIOUS INJURY: ‘WE JUST WANT TO GET DONE’
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)
For the first time this season, Dommer did not play in Tuesday’s game. And the Yankees weren’t exactly forthcoming about why. On Wednesday, Aaron Boone admitted there was some uncertainty about exactly what the problem was.
“He goes back to get more pictures,” he says Yankees manager told reporters after Wednesday’s game. “They just want some more specific seats, and we’ll have more on that later.”
“We just want clarity on exactly what we’re dealing with,” he added. “Then we can set the course of action and kind of have an idea of what the timeline will be.”
On Thursday, they got that clarity. And while it could have been worse for New York, it could also have been a lot better.
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New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge strikes out during pregame practice against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, Calif., on May 30, 2026. (Neville E. Guard/Imagn Images)
The Yankees announced late Thursday night that Judge had been diagnosed with a stress fracture of the first rib on his right side. That is expected to keep him out indefinitely, though he will be re-examined in about 4-6 weeks to see how he progresses. Not ideal.
But the silver lining for the Yankees organization and their 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 looks on from the dugout against the Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium in New York City 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, which almost guarantees a spot in the postseason. Even without a referee for most of the rest of the season. But the surprising Tampa Bay Rays hold on to first place in the AL East, and losing the division could jeopardize a potential first-round bye. And of course, if he doesn’t heal as hoped, this could turn into a season-ending injury.
Still, if Judge recovers and returns before October, he instantly makes the Yankees favorites to make a deep run. Even injured, he was one of the best hitters in baseball. Healthy? He is a monster.
