PHOENIX, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 19: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees looks on from the dugout during sixth inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 19, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Aaron Judge’s return to the New York Yankees lineup was supposed to provide a major boost heading into the final stretch of the season. Instead, the confounding decision to bypass a rehab assignment to make that return has now become a looming frustration as the Yankees look to push into October without him.
Judge missed roughly three months with a fractured rib before returning to the Yankees without appearing in a minor league game, a decision that he advocated for and the team allowed despite the risks. The hope was that the superstar could immediately provide his usual impact as New York pushed toward the postseason, but he was quickly sidelined again and returned to the injured list.
“In some ways, the Yankees are to blame for Judge’s second trip to the IL,” Deesha Thosar noted for Fox Sports. “They did, after all, grant Judge’s wishes and allow him to skip a rehab assignment after missing three months with a fractured rib.”
Now, Judge could potentially miss the remainder of the regular season and even the playoffs, leaving the Yankees without one of the most important pieces of their lineup at the most consequential point of the year.
New York Yankees Manager Aaron Boone Sends 2-Word Message After Brutal Aaron Judge Injury
Given the captain’s quick return to the injured list, Yankees manager Aaron Boone was asked whether he second-guessed the decision to skip a rehab assignment that would have allowed him to ease into game action more gradually.
“Not really,” Boone responded, per Thosar.
But for a Yankees team built around Judge’s presence, the timing makes the setback particularly difficult. His absence changes the complexion of the lineup and leaves New York needing other hitters to absorb the production expected from its biggest star.
New York Yankees’ Veteran Pitcher Sends Message On Aaron Judge’s Quick IL Return
One Yankees teammate who understands what Judge is experiencing is familiar with the emotional toll of returning from an injury only to be quickly sidelined again.
“It sucks, for him personally, and I’ve been in that situation, where you’re on the IL for a while, you come off and you go back on, it’s a frustrating, it’s a very frustrating process,” Carlos Rodon told Foul Territory on Monday. “Him not being able to be in the lineup I’m sure it’s excruciating for him to not be able to play in this moment.”
That message captured the difficult reality facing Judge. After spending months working toward his return, he is now unable to contribute at the most important part of the season. And ultimately, the Yankees’ decision to allow him to skip a rehab assignment could cost them all a World Series ring.
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