Why New York Yankees had ‘sigh of relief’ despite Aaron Judge injury update
· Yahoo Sports
The New York Yankees received the kind of Aaron Judge injury update that still hurts, but could have been much worse.
Judge is expected to miss at least four to six weeks with a rib stress fracture, leaving the Yankees without their captain for a crucial summer stretch.
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That timeline could cost him roughly 25 to 40 games, depending on when he is cleared to resume baseball activity and how quickly he rebuilds timing at the plate.
Yankees avoid long-term Aaron Judge setback
The diagnosis landed with mixed emotions because the fear around Judge had moved beyond a short injured list stay.
“Well, the Yankees, you have to understand, are built around pitching. I think they’ll be alright in the short-term, but in the long term, they’re just glad this was not something worse. There were questions if this was potentially thoracic outlet syndrome, which is something that would’ve required surgery and kept Aaron Judge out for the remainder of the season. I’m never gonna say something that keeps you out for a month or a month-and-a-half is a good thing necessarily, but compared to what it could’ve been, the Yankees are breathing a sigh of relief tonight.”
That is the right way to frame it. Judge being out for a month or more is a major blow, but the Yankees avoided the nightmare version of the story.
The Yankees entered this stretch at 37-25, holding one of the strongest records in the American League. Judge had played 59 games and was hitting .248 with 17 home runs, 38 RBI, and a .907 OPS.
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty ImagesYankees must replace Aaron Judge from within
The Yankees are unlikely to treat the first response as a trade market panic move because the calendar still gives them time to evaluate internal answers.
Cody Bellinger can take more right field responsibility, while Jasson Domínguez is the most obvious long-term outfield answer if his own shoulder issue cooperates. Spencer Jones brings power upside, and utility options such as Jose Caballero, Amed Rosario, or Max Schuemann can help cover innings if needed.
The offense also needs more from Austin Wells, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Ben Rice, Ryan McMahon, and Anthony Volpe. Nobody replaces Judge alone, but the Yankees can survive if the lineup spreads the damage.
Their American League and AL East situation remains strong, but the margin can shrink quickly without Judge. The key factors are simple: keep the pitching staff healthy, protect home series, and avoid letting a four-week absence become a six-week standings slide.
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