Aaron Judge’s rib is healing, but Yankees still have no return date

Last updated: July 17, 2026, 4:30 p.m. ET

Aaron Judge says he feels “10 times better,” yet medical scans still show that his fractured right rib has not healed enough for baseball activities. The New York Yankees captain remains restricted to lower-body training, with another medical review and further imaging required before his comeback can begin. His uncertain timeline is also shaping how New York approaches the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

What We Know So Far

Judge underwent new imaging during the All-Star break after roughly six weeks away from the Yankees lineup. The examination showed healing, but the fracture has not closed sufficiently for him to swing, throw, lift heavily or perform other upper-body baseball work. The club is waiting for Dallas-based specialist Dr. Gregory Pearl to review the scans and advise which activities Judge can safely add.

The injury is believed to have occurred during a diving attempt against Houston on April 26. Judge continued playing for more than a month before his discomfort became increasingly visible during a late-May series in Sacramento. He last appeared on May 31 and was subsequently placed on the injured list.

Judge has been limited to exercises including treadmill work, climbing steps, lower-body training and neck movements. The Yankees have said he will need a structured rehabilitation progression and another scan before receiving clearance for baseball activities. A mid-to-late August return has been described as a best-case possibility, while September has not been ruled out.

His absence has had a measurable effect. New York was 36-23 when Judge last played and entered the second half with an 18-19 record without him. One report calculated that the Yankees averaged 5.14 runs per game before the injury and 4.24 afterward, a decline of almost one run per game.

Before being sidelined, Judge was batting .248 with a .375 on-base percentage, a .533 slugging percentage, 17 home runs and 38 RBIs across 59 games. He was still voted into the American League’s starting outfield for the All-Star Game but was replaced by teammate Cody Bellinger.

What People Are Saying

“There’s some progress, some healing going on, but it’s not fully healed.”

Judge remains confident he will play again this season, saying he does not see why he would not return. His frustration centres on feeling substantially better while still being unable to begin baseball-specific preparation.

“I feel good about the fact that he’ll be back, but it’s just a matter of when.”

General manager Brian Cashman has also said the organization expects Judge back during the second half. At the same time, he has avoided setting a firm date because the next steps depend on how the fracture responds to continued rest.

How This Affects You

For Canadian baseball viewers following the Yankees through national MLB coverage, Judge’s status changes the stakes of every New York game. The lineup has produced fewer runs without him, while the club has slipped behind Tampa Bay in the American League East standings described in the supplied reports.

The uncertainty also affects expectations around the trade deadline. If Judge appears likely to return in August, the Yankees can concentrate on specific needs such as a right-handed-hitting catcher, high-leverage relief and possibly another starting pitcher. If his recovery takes longer, management may have to judge more cautiously how much to invest in a roster missing its most productive hitter.

Catching has already been identified as an area of concern because New York has received limited offensive production from that position. The club has also been managing injuries involving Max Fried, Carlos Rodón and Giancarlo Stanton, increasing the pressure on its remaining roster through the second half.

Coming Up

Dr. Pearl’s assessment will help determine which exercises Judge can add over the next several weeks. The Yankees have confirmed that he must complete another imaging procedure before baseball activities begin, meaning no formal rehabilitation assignment or return date can be established yet.

New York’s other injured players are progressing separately. Fried was scheduled to begin a minor-league rehabilitation assignment, Rodón had resumed limited mound work, and Stanton had started an outdoor running progression. The trade deadline arrives on Aug. 3, giving the Yankees little time to assess those recoveries before making roster decisions.

At a Glance

• Judge’s latest scan showed healing, but his fractured right rib is not fully repaired.
• He remains barred from baseball activities and upper-body lifting.
• The Yankees were 36-23 when he last played and 18-19 afterward.
• Judge had 17 home runs and 38 RBIs in 59 games.
• Another medical review and scan are required before his rehabilitation advances.
• His recovery could influence New York’s strategy before the Aug. 3 trade deadline.