The New York Yankees are having a dominant season and are doing so without their biggest star.
Aaron Judge has not played since May 31 due to a stress fracture in his ribs. One can imagine how much it would hurt to swing a bat or throw a ball with such an injury.
Yet the Yankees are 78-60 on the year and are sitting comfortably atop the American League Wild Card standings. The AL East division lead sits within reach as well. But the best news of all? That has to do with Judge.
Yankees Insider Shares Latest Aaron Judge Update
Yankees beat writer Greg Joyce relayed the latest updated on Judge shared by manager Aaron Boone.
“It’s possible” that Aaron Judge could return on the next homestand, Aaron Boone said.
— Greg Joyce (@GJoyce9) September 1, 2026
Boone noted it’s “possible” Judge can return for the next homestand that begins September 8 against the Colorado Rockies. That would be a massive boost to a Yankees squad hoping to win a World Series for the first time since 2009. Doing so the same year the New York Knicks won the NBA title would be quite the year for NYC sports fans.
Judge has played in 59 games this year, hitting 17 home runs with a .907 OPS. Getting him back in the lineup only makes the Yankees stronger than they already are. Ben Rice leads the team with 35 home runs, with three players tied for second at 18 before Judge shows up with his 17 in limited action.
Giancarlo Stanton is out indefinitely as he has fully broken down, making Judge’s return that much more important. The Yankees now have to balance getting Judge back in the lineup as soon as possible versus making sure he is fresh and ready to go for what they hope is a deep postseason run.
How they handle his impending return may be the difference between chasing a World Series title or simply waiting until next year once again.
