Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Top Judge Replacements and Shaw’s Impact

Over the weekend, baseball fans got a wild ride. Nick Kurtz made history with a four-homer game, but the New York Yankees took a hit with Aaron Judge’s elbow injury.

This post digs into what’s going on with Judge, how the team plans to handle his recovery, and what fantasy baseball managers can do to adapt during his short IL stint.

Aaron Judge’s Injury: What We Know

The Yankees placed Aaron Judge on the injured list because of a flexor strain in his elbow. Any Judge injury gets fans anxious, but here’s the thing—it’s mostly affecting his throwing arm, not his hitting.

That detail could really shorten his time away from the lineup. Team doctors and Manager Aaron Boone said Judge won’t throw for 10-14 days.

Still, there’s a good chance he’ll return as a designated hitter (DH) after the minimum IL stint. That way, his elbow gets a break from fielding while he can still swing.

The Yankees’ Recovery Timeline for Judge

Boone has kept the mood upbeat, hinting that Judge could be back as soon as next week—just not in the outfield. If he slides in as DH, he can help the offense right away without pushing his elbow.

Judge himself sounded confident about swinging the bat and even hoped he’d skip the IL, so his return might come sooner than most feared.

Fantasy Baseball Impact: How to Adjust

Losing Aaron Judge in fantasy baseball feels brutal. But honestly, with a short recovery window, there’s no need to freak out.

You can handle Judge’s absence by focusing on two things: finding a short-term outfield fill-in and, if you’re worried, considering a longer-term backup.

Short-Term Outfield Replacements

If Judge only misses a week or so, just patch the hole with someone who’s hot right now. Here are a few names worth a look:

• Ramon Laureano: He runs hot and cold, but when Laureano gets on a streak, he can help in several categories.
• Joshua Lowe: The Rays’ young outfielder brings a mix of power and speed—solid for a quick fix.
• Trent Grisham: Maybe not a power threat like Judge, but Grisham chips in with runs and the occasional steal.
• Chandler Simpson: Bit of a wild card, but if you’re feeling lucky, Simpson’s upside is intriguing.

Long-Term Solutions

If you’re the cautious type or just have a bad feeling about Judge’s elbow, maybe look at these longer-term options:

• Austin Hays: Hays has quietly put up solid numbers all season, mixing power with good contact.
• Jurickson Profar: Not flashy, but Profar offers steady at-bats and some flexibility for your roster.
• Michael Harris: Harris is young but already showing he can do a bit of everything, which is always handy.
• Tyler O’Neill: O’Neill’s been on a power tear lately. If he keeps mashing, you won’t miss Judge as much as you’d think.

Optimism for Both Yankees Fans and Fantasy Managers

Any injury news about Aaron Judge is always a bit nerve-wracking. Still, this flexor strain seems more like a bump in the road than a full derailment of his season.

Yankees fans can hope to see Judge back in the lineup as a DH soon enough. That kind of return could help the team avoid slipping into a deep offensive slump.

If you’re managing a fantasy team, there’s a bit of relief knowing Judge’s absence probably won’t drag on. There are some decent short-term and even long-term outfield replacements out there if you need to fill the gap.

The Yankees will have to keep a close eye on Judge’s recovery. It’s a waiting game, whether you’re in the dugout or just tinkering with your fantasy roster.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Aaron Judge replacements may be short-lived; Matt Shaw leads third base revival