Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees captain, remains optimistic about making a full comeback this season despite a fractured rib that has kept him out for six weeks.
The injury, sustained early in June, has healed enough that Judge says he feels "ten times better" than when he first landed on the injured list, though light exercise is still off‑limits.
Currently limited to lower‑body work such as treadmill walking on an incline, Judge has been barred from cycling because the motion places pressure on his ribs, and he awaits a clearer medical verdict from Dr. Gregory Pearl.
The Yankees’ present standing
When Judge went on the injured list the club sat second in the AL East, a position they still occupy as they head into the second half of the schedule.
A recent five‑game winning streak before the All‑Star break hinted at momentum, but the real test arrived when the Los Angeles Dodgers returned to the Bronx for a rematch of the 2024 World Series.
Yankees ace Gerrit Cole opened the series against Dodgers right‑hander Roki Sasaki, but the game was marred by a fifth‑inning mental lapse in which Cole failed to cover first base, a mistake that compounded earlier errors by Judge and shortstop Anthony Volpe and resulted in a five‑run deficit.
The defensive collapse revived memories of the championship loss to the Dodgers and underscored how difficult it is to envision a deep playoff run without a healthy Judge.
Roster realities and future moves
With key veterans such as Cole, now 36, and Giancarlo Stanton, also 36, approaching the final years of their contracts, the front office faces questions about how long the current core can remain competitive.
General manager Brian Cashman is weighing potential additions before the August 3 trade deadline, aware that no direct replacement for Judge exists on the market, though depth options are available.
The looming expiration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement in December adds another layer of uncertainty, as a potential lockout could affect the 2027 season.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone has repeatedly emphasized that Judge’s return is a priority, stating, "I feel good about the fact that he'll be back. It's just a matter of when."
For now, the team’s championship window remains open only if Judge can resume his slugging role quickly, allowing the Yankees to shift from reminiscing about past defeats to chasing a new title.