A lingering injury casts a shadow over the Bronx
Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees captain, has been unable to return to the diamond since a stress fracture in his right ribs was diagnosed in late May. A scan conducted during the recent All‑Star break revealed partial healing, but the team’s medical staff, led by Dr. Gregory J. Pearl, says the player is still awaiting clearance before any baseball activities are resumed.
Before landing on the injured list, Judge was batting .248 with 17 home runs and 38 RBIs, having contributed a steady stream of power and run production. His rehabilitation has so far focused on lower‑body work and treadmill sessions, while the organization has deliberately avoided any throwing or swinging drills that could jeopardize the healing process.
Rehab Rundown
The Yankees’ performance has fluctuated in his absence. The club stood at 36‑23 when Judge last played, but the team’s record has slipped to 18‑19 since, underscoring the impact of losing a MVP‑caliber talent.
Other injured teammates are also making incremental progress. Right‑hander Max Fried delivered his first rehab start on Friday, allowing two runs over three innings, and is slated for at least one more minor‑league outing before rejoining the rotation. Left‑hander Carlos Rodón threw a brief set of 10 pitches off a mound but has yet to advance to a full bullpen session. Outfielder Giancarlo Stanton has begun a running progression outdoors, and utility player Clarke Schmidt is scheduled to face live batting practice on Saturday.
The club’s medical timeline remains uncertain. Judge has expressed a preference to avoid a minor‑league rehabilitation assignment, opting instead to wait for a green light from the doctors. Until then, the Yankees will continue to monitor his recovery closely, hoping to have their star back in the lineup before the season’s critical stretch.