Aaron Judge Out Indefinitely with Rib Injury, Yankees Say

## Aaron Judge‘s Rib Injury: What it Means for the Yankees and Fantasy Baseball

The baseball world is buzzing right now—Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees’ superstar, is facing an indefinite layoff. He’s got a stress fracture in his right first rib.

At first, the injury looked like a bone bruise and just some shoulder pain. Now, after a proper diagnosis, Judge is resting and keeping his activity limited.

Let’s break down the specifics of the injury, how it might shake up the Yankees’ season, and what fantasy baseball managers should keep in mind.

### Understanding the Injury

Aaron Judge, one of MLB’s most imposing figures, is out with a stress fracture in his right first rib. He’d already missed time as the Yankees tried to pinpoint the source of his shoulder pain.

The team put him through a bunch of medical tests—an MRI earlier in the week, then a CT scan on Thursday.

Judge also visited Dr. Gregory Pearl, a top vascular specialist in Dallas. The Yankees clearly want the best care for their star.

He’ll get another round of imaging in about four to six weeks. Right now, the focus is just on letting his body heal, so he’s on strict rest.

### Judge’s 2025 Season So Far

Before this setback, Judge was having a different type of season compared to his monster 2024 numbers. He was batting .248 with 17 home runs and 38 RBIs.

His power numbers had cooled off lately—just one home run in his last 18 games since May 10. That’s not what fans expected after last year.

Last season, he won the batting title with a .331 average, smashed a career-high 53 homers, and knocked in 114 runs over 152 games. Everyone was hoping for another MVP run, so this injury stings.

### Historical Context and Previous Injuries

This isn’t Judge’s first run-in with a rib stress fracture. He had a similar problem back in March 2020, which actually traced back to an injury from September 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the shortened season meant his absence wasn’t felt as much that year. Maybe that experience will help the medical team map out his recovery this time.

With a player like Judge, patience and careful management are everything.

### The Yankees’ Plan in Judge’s Absence

With Judge out, the Yankees have had to get creative in right field. They’re rotating players to fill that massive gap in the lineup.

Here’s who’s gotten a look:

• Giancarlo Stanton: He’s been on the injured list since April 24 with a strained right calf, but just started taking live batting practice. He’s not expected to travel with the team yet, but any progress is welcome at this point.
• José Caballero
• Max Schuemann
• Spencer Jones
• Cody Bellinger

Manager Aaron Boone has talked a lot about leaning on specialists during this tough stretch. He keeps stressing patience while the medical staff works out a plan.

The Yankees will have to dig deep and find ways to win without their biggest bat. It’s not an easy road, but maybe it’ll reveal something about the team’s depth and grit.

### Fantasy Baseball Implications

For fantasy baseball managers, Aaron Judge’s injury creates a real headache. His absence leaves a tough gap in lineups, and it’s not easy to find a replacement.

• Scout the Waiver Wire: Search for players who might get more playing time now that Judge is out. Maybe check out outfielders with good matchups or those who’ve been on a hot streak lately.
• Monitor the Yankees’ Rotations: Watch the Yankees’ right field situation. The guys getting more at-bats could turn into sneaky fantasy options, especially if you’re in a deeper league. Look for whoever’s swinging a hot bat and getting regular starts.
• Consider Injury Clauses: If your league has injured list spots, Judge is an obvious stash. Just keep in mind how long he might be out—there’s a real chance he misses a big chunk of the season.
• Trade Strategically: If your league likes trades, maybe it’s time to package some players for a solid replacement. Or try to grab depth from teams that don’t lean so heavily on one superstar.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Yankees’ Aaron Judge is out indefinitely due to rib injury, team says