With Aaron Judge on IL Yankees Weigh Spencer Jones and Everson Pereira Options

The Yankees will have to get by without Aaron Judge yet again.

The team placed its captain on the injured list Saturday with a flexor strain in his right elbow. . According to New York Post columnist John Heyman, the best-case scenario is a 10-day shutdown, followed by another 10 days of designated hitter duty before Judge returns to full outfield action. 

That puts his potential return to right field roughly 20 days away, assuming no setbacks.

So what now for the floundering Yankees?

Naturally, the speculation turned to Spencer Jones, the Yankees’ outfield prospect who’s been torching Triple-A pitching in July. But for now, the organization appears to be tapping the brakes.

Jones was scratched from Friday night’s lineup at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre due to lower back spasms but returned to action Saturday, calming immediate injury concerns. Still, with Jones just back  in the lineup Saturday it seems unlikely they would rush him to the Bronx. 

There’s no question the 6-foot-6 slugger has impressed. He recently hit three home runs in a single game and has piled up 13 home runs in 20 Triple-A games, raising eyebrows across the league.

But the Yankees are mindful of the bigger picture. Jones is not far removed from beginning the season in Double-A Somerset for the second straight year to work on his plate discipline because of a high strikeout rate.

If the Yankees opt to promote from within, Everson Pereira could be the safer short-term choice.  Pereira has quietly been playing well at Triple‑A Scranton/Wilkes‑Barre in 2025. In 67 games at that level, he’s slashed a solid .260 batting average, .353 on-base, and .516 slugging for a .869 OPS, while adding 19 home runs and 52 RBIs alongside 9 stolen bases in 300 at-bats

He’s healthy, already on the 40-man roster.

Another option is Bryan De La Cruz, who has MLB experience with the Marlins (2021–24), Pirates (mid-2024), and Braves (beginning of 2025), compiling a career slash line of .251/.295/.402, with 58 home runs and 208 RBIs in 491 games.

Losing Judge is never easy, especially with the offense already inconsistent. But the Yankees are hoping a short IL stint, a DH phase, and a cautious ramp-up will keep their star in the mix for the stretch run.

And if not? The Spencer Jones watch will heat up fast.