San Diego, CA – September 6: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees looks on before a game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park at Petco Park on September 6, 2026 in San Diego, CA. (Photo by K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images
The New York Yankees got a major boost to their October hopes when superstar slugger Aaron Judge returned from a prolonged stint on the injured list, even if the three-time American League MVP is still working his way back into form.
Judge has been gradually increasing his workload after missing three months with a broken rib, and his presence remains central to the Yankees’ postseason hopes.
“Aaron Judge was back in the lineup Saturday for a second straight game after sitting out the final game of the Rockies series Thursday, as the Yankees work their best player into form,” Dan Martin wrote for the New York Post. “Judge, who was in right field in Friday’s win over the (New York) Mets in The Bronx, was at DH Saturday and went hitless in four at-bats in a 12-2 loss to their crosstown rivals.”
But while Judge’s own MVP credentials have been a regular topic throughout his career, the Yankees captain recently threw some cold water on the award hopes for a breakout teammate who has been starring in his absence.
New York Yankees’ 3-Time MVP Aaron Judge Suggests Cam Schlittler Falls Short Of MVP
Breakout Yankees star Cam Schlittler has emerged as one of the Yankees’ most important pitchers while the rotation has dealt with injuries to several established starters, as well as Judge’s absence.
“Schlittler has a strong statistical MVP case and probably the best case narratively,” Mike Axisa wrote for CBS Sports. “He has been the rock in New York’s rotation while Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, and Carlos Rodon all missed time with the injury. Also, Aaron Judge missed three months with a broken rib, putting even more pressure on Schlittler (and the team’s other pitchers), and he delivered every which way.”
That production has sparked a larger discussion about whether Schlittler could receive serious MVP consideration, despite the rarity of pitchers winning the award.
The last pitcher to win MVP was Clayton Kershaw in 2014, when he also captured the National League Cy Young. In the American League, Justin Verlander was the last pitcher to win MVP, doing so in 2011 while also taking home the Cy Young.
Judge, however, believes Schlittler’s clearest path to recognition is on the pitching side alone, suggesting that he falls short of the requirements to win an MVP Award.
“They’ve got a Cy Young Award for a reason — best pitcher in the game,” Judge said when asked about Schlitter’s hopes for the MVP Award, according to The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner. “He’s got my vote, definitely, for the Cy Young.”
New York Yankees’ Cam Schlitter Leads Rotation Into Playoffs
The Yankees improved to 86-63 with a win to close out last week, putting them within reach of the Tampa Bay Rays for the AL East lead while holding a significant edge over the Boston Red Sox for the top wild-card position.
And if the Yankees reach the postseason, Judge clearly believes Schlittler should be viewed as the Cy Young frontrunner, even if he hasn’t necessarily earned consideration for the overall MVP Award.
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