Yankees Facing Decision After Aaron Judge Update

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated May 24, 2026 1:22 PM ET

The New York Yankees have slowed down in the month of May. The club has dropped six of its last 10 games and now sits in second place in the American League East. Even with the recent slide, outfielder Aaron Judge has continued to dominate opposing pitching.

Through 52 games, the three-time AL MVP has produced a .245 batting average, .377 on-base percentage, .920 OPS, 16 home runs and 30 RBIs.

He is well on his way toward earning his eighth career All-Star selection, but his focus this season is centered on bringing a World Series title back to the Bronx.

New York Yankees designated hitter Aaron Judge (99) looks out from the dugout during a game against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y., on May 7, 2026.Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Judge has appeared in every game so far this year, which has been huge for a Yankees team dealing with multiple injuries to position players. His presence in the lineup has helped stabilize the offense during stretches where depth has been tested.

However, Judge may soon be absent from the lineup for the first time this season. Manager Aaron Boone spoke with reporters ahead of Sunday’s series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays and revealed that he is considering giving Judge a game off during New York’s upcoming series against the Kansas City Royals.

Boone originally planned to give Judge a scheduled day off next week, but Saturday’s rainout may have provided the day off Judge needed without removing him from the lineup (h/t Gary Phillips of NY Daily News Sports).

Aaron Boone previously said he was thinking of getting Aaron Judge an off day against the #Royals. However, Boone said this morning that yesterday's rainout may change that. #Yankees
— Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) May 24, 2026

A single day without Judge would naturally leave a hole in the batting order, but the Yankees have postseason ambitions and want to ensure their captain remains fresh.

Judge is in the fourth season of his nine-year, $360 million contract that runs through 2031. At age 34, managing his workload is becoming more important as the Yankees look to maximize his production deep into the season.

For now, Judge remains one of the elite hitters in baseball and continues to lead the Yankees night after night. Whether Boone ultimately gives him a scheduled rest day this week will depend on how Judge feels, but the club knows keeping him healthy is essential to their long-term success.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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