Yankees Face Uncertainty as Aaron Judge Dealt Indefinite Injury Setback

NEW YORK — The New York Yankees are grappling with a significant challenge this season, as the absence of Aaron Judge looms large. On Tuesday, the team revealed that the star outfielder will be out indefinitely due to a bone bruise in his right shoulder, a situation that has many fans concerned about the team's chances moving forward. The injury has been progressively worsening, prompting manager Aaron Boone to notice that Judge’s swing appeared "off" during their recent series against the Athletics in Sacramento.

Following the team’s return from California, Judge underwent an MRI on Sunday night. He was expected to meet with team physician Christopher Ahmad prior to the Yankees' game against the Guardians on Tuesday evening. In discussing the situation, Boone expressed uncertainty regarding the timeline for Judge's recovery. “It could be a couple of days, it could be longer, I don’t know for sure,” he remarked. “It’s kind of based on how he’s feeling day by day. Hopefully we avoided something serious, but we’ll have more of an idea after he meets with the doctor.”

The exact cause of Judge's injury remains unclear, though the Yankees noted that it affects his ability to swing more than it impacts his throwing. Historically, Judge has managed minor injuries without much fanfare, rarely expressing that he is in too much pain to play. Nevertheless, he has been receiving treatment for his shoulder during the road trip, leading Boone to suggest a medical evaluation.

Bone bruises can often cause more discomfort than soft tissue injuries, stemming from significant impact trauma. For an outfielder, such injuries may occur from diving or colliding with walls. Left-handed pitcher Max Fried is currently on the injured list with a similar condition and is anticipated to be sidelined for at least a month. However, Boone cautioned against making direct comparisons, as the nature of Judge's injury does not affect his throwing abilities, but rather creates discomfort while batting.

Judge last found himself on the injured list in July 2025 due to a flexor strain in his right elbow, which kept him out for 10 games. Until now, he has remained injury-free this season, though his performance has dipped slightly, with a batting average of .248—43 points lower than his career average. His slugging percentage and OPS have also seen declines from his usual numbers. In his last five games, as his shoulder issues likely escalated, Judge managed just a .222 batting average, securing only one extra-base hit with no home runs.