​The Yankees have dropped 15 of their last 20 outings as they press on without superstar right fielder Aaron Judge. Yet amidst the downturn, an MLB insider indicates the franchise has a plan in place for the re-imaging of Judge’s stressed right first rib, signaling a potential timeline for his return.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post addressed the situation on The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman, noting uncertainty about Judge’s return date. “We don’t know when Judge is coming back,” Heyman said. “They won’t even say when he’s getting the reimaging… I’ve heard they do have a date in mind, which can change. But they don’t want to say anything for whatever reason.” The injury, officially a 10-day stint starting June 4, has delayed any definitive timetable. At the time Judge landed on the injured list, the Yankees indicated that re-imaging would occur within 4-6 weeks to gauge healing and determine the next steps in his recovery.
By July 16, exactly six weeks from June 4, the medical team may be ready to re-imagine and assess the rib fracture’s status. If the imaging goes well and Judge requires only a short ramp-up period, a return in August could be plausible. The timing remains fluid, however, with the team guarding exact dates for strategic reasons and medical confidentiality.
Judge’s performance prior to the injury stood out, as he was hitting .248 with 17 home runs and 38 RBIs. His absence, paired with the continued absence of Giancarlo Stanton, has left the Yankees struggling. They have endured especially difficult stretches, losing 13 of 15 and then 15 of 20 games as they navigate the schedule without two of their most potent bats.
Statistically, the Yankees have hit rough patches since the start of June. According to ESPN, they have slipped to the bottom tier in several key areas: a .217 team batting average, a .279 on-base percentage, and a strikeout rate of 27% since June 1, ranking 26th in runs per game at 3.97. Those numbers underscore the combat they face without Judge and Stanton in the lineup, illustrating how critical their missing power and run production are to sustaining wins.
When asked by Sherman whether the Yankees might have peaked in mid-June and are now in trouble, Heyman offered a cautious assessment. “It’s possible they peaked. I don’t think they’re in trouble, with one caveat. If Judge does not come back…” he trailed off, acknowledging that Judge’s absence would tilt the balance toward a worst-case scenario for the club, though he cautioned there was no evidence of such an outcome at the moment.
As the Dodgers of the East continue to navigate the standings and bench strength will be tested in the absence of Judge, the potential return timeline for Judge remains a focal point for fans and front offices alike. The Yankees, who have relied on Judge for offense and leadership, would gain a significant uplift if re-imaging confirms a favorable prognosis and facilitates a timely ramp-up to contribute down the stretch. For now, the team’s immediate reality is a search for resilience and production amid a stretch of underperformance.
Read the original report on NJ.com. If you want more context and background on this topic, consider adding NJ.com as a preferred source for deeper coverage and updates on Judge’s status and the Yankees’ performance. This article summarizes ongoing developments, including the anticipated re-imaging date and the potential impact on the Yankees’ trajectory as August approaches and the season progresses.