Judge's Recovery Key to Yankees-dodgers World Series Outlook

WHO:

NY Post - Aaron Judge is the captain of the New York Yankees.

Sportskeeda - MLB insider provided insights on Aaron Judge's recovery process.

WHAT:

MLB.com - Judge stated, “We’re still waiting on one more doctor to take a look at it and see how we progress forward the next couple of weeks, but it’s definitely a positive sign that we’re seeing some healing.”

MLB.com - A Yankees spokesperson said, “There will be a rehab progression and re-imaging before baseball activities occur."

MLB.com - Judge said, “I don’t see why I wouldn’t” when asked if he is confident he will return this season.

MLB.com - Judge mentioned, “I hate rehab games, so I’ve got to talk to them about all that. Why waste at-bats in a rehab game?”

MLB.com - Judge had the imaging performed on Wednesday and is waiting for Dr. Gregory Pearl, a Dallas-based specialist, to review the results.

MLB.com - Judge stated, “It is feeling better... I’m feeling 10 times better.”

MLB.com - Judge mentioned, “I hate rehab games, so I’ve got to talk to them about all that. Why waste at-bats in a rehab game?”

MLB.com - Judge traced the rib fracture to a diving attempt on April 26 against the Astros in Houston.

MLB.com - Judge's discomfort became evident during a late May series against the Athletics in Sacramento.

MLB.com - Aaron Judge underwent a re-imaging procedure on his fractured right rib during the All-Star break that revealed signs of healing, but not enough to clear him for resumption of baseball activities.

MLB.com - Judge stated, “There’s some progress, some healing going on, but it’s not fully healed.”

MLB.com - The Yankees expect Judge to return during the regular season, with a best-case scenario being mid-to-late August, but September cannot be ruled out.

MLB.com - Judge is batting .248/.375/.533 with 17 home runs and 38 RBIs in 59 games this season.

NY Post - Aaron Judge has started to see some healing following his stress fracture in his first right rib.

Sportskeeda - The Yankees are currently three games behind the AL East leaders, the Tampa Bay Rays, despite being without Aaron Judge for more than a month.

Sportskeeda - The New York Yankees are currently three games behind the AL East leaders, the Tampa Bay Rays.

NY Post - Aaron Judge remains far from a return to the Yankees lineup.

NY Post - As most of his teammates enjoyed a break, Aaron Judge was trying to determine how much he will be able to play in the second half of the season.

Sportskeeda - Aaron Judge has been recovering from a stress fracture in his rib.

NY Post - The Yankees are considered unlikely to win the World Series without Aaron Judge.

WHERE:

Sportskeeda - The New York Yankees are based in New York.

WHEN:

Sportskeeda - Aaron Judge has been out of the Yankees lineup since May 31.

WHY:

Sportskeeda - The Yankees' performance in the World Series is contingent on Aaron Judge's recovery.

HOW:

MLB.com - Judge has been limited to lower-body work and neck exercises, with no upper-body or overhead lifting due to his injury.

NY Post - Aaron Judge is trying to find out how much he will be able to play in the second half of the season.

Sportskeeda - Aaron Judge is currently in the recovery process from his injury.

(UPDATED July 18, 2026 06:34 UTC)

Aaron Judge is optimistic about his recovery, stating that they are waiting for one more doctor to assess his progress, which he describes as a positive sign of healing. A spokesperson for the Yankees confirmed that there will be a rehabilitation progression and re-imaging before he can resume baseball activities. While Judge expressed his dislike for rehab games, he remains confident about returning this season, saying, “I don’t see why I wouldn’t.”

(UPDATED July 18, 2026 02:51 UTC)

Aaron Judge is currently awaiting the results of imaging tests he had performed on Wednesday, which will be reviewed by Dr. Gregory Pearl, a specialist based in Dallas. Judge expressed that he is feeling significantly better, stating, “It is feeling 10 times better,” although he also voiced his frustration with rehab games, questioning their value. The injury, a rib fracture, originated from a diving attempt on April 26 against the Astros and has since limited him to lower-body work and neck exercises, preventing any upper-body or overhead lifting.

(UPDATED July 17, 2026 22:17 UTC)

Aaron Judge recently underwent a re-imaging procedure on his fractured right rib, which showed signs of healing but not enough for him to resume baseball activities. Judge mentioned that while there is some progress, it is not fully healed, and the Yankees are hopeful he could return during the regular season, with mid-to-late August as the best-case scenario, although September remains a possibility. So far this season, Judge has played 59 games, batting .248 with a .375 on-base percentage, hitting 17 home runs and driving in 38 runs, but he has been limited to lower-body work and neck exercises due to his injury.

(UPDATED July 17, 2026 21:14 UTC)

Aaron Judge is beginning to heal from a stress fracture in his right rib, which has kept him sidelined for over a month. Despite his absence, the Yankees are currently three games behind the AL East leaders, the Tampa Bay Rays. Judge is now assessing how much he will be able to contribute as the season progresses into its second half.

(UPDATED July 17, 2026 15:26 UTC)

The New York Yankees are currently trailing the Tampa Bay Rays by three games in the American League East standings. This gap highlights the competitive nature of the division as the season progresses. Fans will be watching closely to see if the Yankees can close that distance in the coming games.

(UPDATED July 17, 2026 14:29 UTC)

Aaron Judge is still a long way from rejoining the Yankees lineup, according to the New York Post. While most of his teammates are taking a break, Judge is focused on figuring out how much he can contribute during the second half of the season. His return remains uncertain as he continues to assess his condition.

(UPDATED July 17, 2026 13:28 UTC)

Aaron Judge, the captain of the New York Yankees, has been recovering from a stress fracture in his rib and has been out of the lineup since May 31. MLB insiders indicate that the Yankees' chances of winning the World Series are slim without Judge's return, as his recovery is crucial to the team's performance. The Yankees, based in New York, are closely monitoring Judge's progress as he continues his recovery process.