Aaron Judge remains sidelined as his rib injury has not yet reached full recovery, leaving the slugger without any baseball‑specific work and awaiting the final word from Dr. Gregory Pearl before a return plan can be set.
A Team in Transition
The New York Yankees sit at 54‑42 and have rattled off four straight wins despite the absence of their star outfielder. The club has managed to flip a 5‑15 slump into a winning stretch, a turnaround that outpaces their 2023 performance when Judge was similarly unavailable.
Veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, along with recent acquisitions Cody Bellinger and rookie catcher Ben Rice, have shouldered the offensive load, delivering timely hits and solid defense to keep the lineup productive.
Manager’s Perspective
Manager Aaron Boone says the current roster feels deeper than in previous years, noting that the team’s ability to absorb setbacks reflects a more balanced mix of experience and youth.
Judge himself remains optimistic about being able to contribute this season, expressing confidence that he will not need a lengthy spring‑training‑style ramp‑up once he is cleared to play.