The New York Yankees are facing uncertainty as Aaron Judge, their star outfielder and reigning AL MVP, is not in the starting lineup due to an elbow issue. Yankees manager Aaron Boone informed reporters—including YES Network’s Jack Curry, NJ Advance Media’s Max Goodman, and the New York Post’s Joel Sherman—that Judge is undergoing tests to assess the severity of the injury. This decision comes after Judge experienced difficulty making throws during the Yankees' recent 12-5 loss to the Phillies.
The issue appears to have originated during Tuesday’s tight 5-4 victory against the Blue Jays, where Judge was observed grimacing after making a throw from deep right field. Despite feeling fine after the Yankees' off-day on Thursday, Judge's discomfort resurfaced in Friday’s game, prompting Boone to order further scans. While the results of these tests are pending, Boone has refrained from commenting on the seriousness of the injury, leaving fans and the organization anxious about the potential implications.
Yankees fans are hoping for the best, as any significant injury to Judge could jeopardize New York’s chances of making a deep postseason run. Currently, the Yankees sit in a precarious position in the AL East, having seen their once-comfortable lead evaporate due to a disappointing 14-22 record over their last 36 games. The Toronto Blue Jays have surged ahead, now holding the best record in baseball and a 5.5-game lead over the Yankees.
This season, Judge has been nothing short of spectacular, leading the majors with impressive statistics across the board. He boasts a batting average of .342, an on-base percentage of .449, and a slugging percentage of .711. Additionally, he leads the league in hits (129), total bases (268), and both Wins Above Replacement (fWAR 7.2 and bWAR 6.8). His exceptional wRC+ of 208 ties him for 15th on the all-time single-season list, marking the third time in four years that he has surpassed the 200 wRC+ threshold.
If Judge is forced to take time off, it could impact not only the Yankees’ playoff hopes but also his candidacy for the AL MVP award. Judge is currently a frontrunner for the title alongside the Mariners’ Cal Raleigh. However, a stint on the injured list could complicate his chances as well as New York’s pursuit of a postseason berth.
The Yankees are still positioned as the top wild card team in the American League, but their 56-47 record offers little room for error, especially with the Texas Rangers nipping at their heels at 54-50. Should Judge miss time, the Yankees may have to rely on their depth to navigate the situation. Outfielders Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham, and Jasson Dominguez could form the new everyday outfield, while Giancarlo Stanton and Ben Rice would share designated hitter duties.
With the trade deadline approaching on August 7, the Yankees have a small window to adjust their roster in response to Judge's injury. While they may have the personnel to manage a short-term absence, there is no replacing a talent as significant as Judge. If it turns out that he will miss an extended period, it could indeed derail the Yankees’ season and shift the focus onto the inconsistency of the other hitters in the lineup.
As fans await updates on Judge's condition, the Yankees' path forward remains uncertain. The hope is that the scans reveal no serious damage, allowing the team to maintain its competitive edge in a tightly contested AL East race.
