Awful Aaron Judge injury update could define Yankees' season

New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge. Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images

Awful Aaron Judge injury update could define Yankees' season

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Jun 4, 2026 11:11 PM ET

New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge will be shut down for quite some time.

Aaron Judge injury update

In an update given by the team, it was revealed that the Yankees superstar and captain is dealing with a stress fracture of the first rib on the right side.

Judge will go on the injured list and be reevaluated in approximately four to six weeks. New York doesn't think the injury is season-ending and expects Judge to return to the field at some point this season.

The #Yankees say Aaron Judge has been diagnosed with a stress fracture of the first rib on his right side. This will require a period of rest and limited activity. He will be reimaged in approximately four to six weeks to determine level of healing and appropriate next steps.…
— Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) June 5, 2026

Aaron Judge had been scuffling a bit

Prior to missing all three games against the Cleveland Guardians, Judge had been scuffling a bit at the plate. Judge had just 10 hits in his previous 53 at-bats, a stretch that's seen his season average dip from .273 to .248 in just 14 games.

The power had also gone away, as Judge had just one home run in the final three weeks in the month of May. Signs of a less than 100% healthy Judge were showing, and it finally led to his injury diagnosis.

Who will be the replacement?

In the three-game series against Cleveland without Judge, it was Jose Caballero getting two starts in right field with Max Schuemann getting the nod in the final game of the series.

New York has several intriguing options to replace Judge. It could be a recall of the young and promising outfielder in Spencer Jones. It could also be a recall of Oswaldo Cabrera, the super utility man for the Yankees.

Whatever the decision may be, life without Judge for the next four to six weeks will be the defining stretch of the season for last year's American League runners-up.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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