Aaron Judge Returning For New York In 2026 Season Following Sustaining Stress Fracture In Right Rib? Wednesday Captain, Right Fielder Aaron Judge Provided Update

In 2026 season Aaron Judge who is captain , right fielder for New York the team that wears the pinstripes has had 214 at bats contributed offensively 43 runs, 53 hits 17 home runs, 38 runs batted in 5 stolen bases.

The bad news Aaron Judge has been on the injured list since June 5, 2026 because of stress fracture in rib he sustained at Houston on April 26, 2026 and because that New York the team that wears the pinstripes have been struggling mightily at the plate. New York the team that wears the pinstripes struggles recently were in a 3-1 loss to St. Louis on Wednesday August 5, 2026 where New York was 0-10 with runners in scoring position. Ryan McMahon who is third baseman was 0-2 Trent Grisham who is center fielder was 0-1. Ali Sanchez who took over for Austin Wells behind the plate was 0-1. Luis Garcia Jr. who is first baseman was 0-1. Jazz Chisholm Jr. who is second baseman was 0-1 Austin Wells who started the night behind the plate was 0-1 Spencer Jones who was right fielder taking the place of captain, right fielder Aaron Judge was 0-2 .

According to ESPN App

The good news?

Aaron Judge himself provided an update on Wednesday August 6, 2026 has been cleared to participate in light activities, including outdoor running and upper-body resistance training.“I’ll be back this season,“I don’t know why I wouldn’t be. That was always the plan, to come back sooner than later, definitely. I never had a thought of not playing this year.”

I just got the scan [Tuesday] and the minute they said we’re going to start running, I said, ‘All right, I’ll see you outside,’”I kind of forced them on that one. Hopefully whenever we get a game plan, you guys will be somewhere on the list and we’ll let you guys know.”

I’ve got a broken rib, so you’re going to feel it,”“But it’s healing up. That’s the progress we want to see. So we can start doing some more, kind of testing and see where we’re at. You’re running out of days. We’ve got 52 days left, 53 days left. We’ve got to get back out there.”

Manager Aaron Boone’s response?

It’s an important part of his progression to get back with us,”“It’s good to see him with his pinstripes on and cleats, heading out onto the field in the afternoon, certainly.”

General Manager Brian Cashman response?

It's a pretty high likelihood and optimism that he fits that timeframe for him to get back and join us,""And that's what I'm hoping and holding on to, and I know that's what he believes, and I know that's what the doctors believe. But it's always a moving target, too.”

Bryan Hoch MLB article https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-positive-update-in-rehab-from-rib-injury