Aaron Judge Diagnosed With Stress Fracture

The New York Yankees have announced that Aaron Judge has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in the first rib on his right side.

The slugger is scheduled for follow-up imaging in four to six weeks to assess his healing and the progress of his rehabilitation process.

According to reporting from MLB Trade Rumors on June 5, 2026, Judge is expected to return to the lineup before the end of the season, though a return is not anticipated until August at the earliest.

Judge will be placed on the 10-day injured list prior to the series opener against the Red Sox on June 6, 2026. He is also expected to be moved to the 60-day injured list at a later date.

To address the loss of their primary power hitter, the Yankees will recall Spencer Jones from Triple-A. This roster move was first reported by Jack Curry of the YES Network.

The injury follows several weeks of increasing discomfort for Judge while hitting. Although the pain was felt primarily in his right shoulder, the team conducted testing on his ribcage to identify the cause.

As part of the diagnostic process, the Yankees sent Judge to a physician specializing in thoracic outlet syndrome to rule out the nerve condition. The diagnosis of a rib fracture was determined to be a more favorable outcome than the potential for a career-altering nerve issue.

The loss of Judge is viewed as a significant setback for the organization. Fox News described the indefinite absence as a huge blow to the title hopes of the New York Yankees.

Beyond the immediate impact on the roster, the injury is expected to shift the competitive landscape of the American League East. ESPN noted that the development will likely influence team strategies leading up to the MLB trade deadline.

The injury also creates a void for fantasy baseball managers. Yahoo Sports characterized Judge as irreplaceable and highlighted the immediate need for replacement options on the waiver wire.

Judge will need to complete a period of rest before building back up to baseball activities and live batting practice. A rehab assignment will likely be required to regain game speed before he can return to the active roster.