MLB insider reveals Yankees have 'no idea' if Aaron Judge will play again in 2026

1 month ago 20

The New York Yankees have played the majority of the 2026 MLB season without Aaron Judge. He landed on the injured list right after the end of May, although he did return for a brief period of time.

Unfortunately, Judge tweaked his calf and hit the injured list for a second time this season. Unlike his earlier stint, this one might end his season.

According to MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Judge's injury has left the Yankees with "no idea" if he'll play again this season. Judge, a key to the Yankees' success this postseason, might be out for the rest of the year.

Yankees reportedly have 'no idea' if Aaron Judge will play again in 2026 per MLB insider

"The New York Yankees, who have played without All-Star outfielder Aaron Judge for most of the season, are bracing themselves now for the possibility that their three-time MVP may not play again the rest of the season," Nightengale writes. "... The Yankees have no idea whether he can play again this season."

Judge was out for a long time due to a rib issue, but returned in August with the hopes of being a contributor down the stretch. He didn't go through a rehab assignment and tried helping out at the big-league level right away.

Now, he's back on the IL due to a right calf strain and will miss 10 days at minimum, which would bring him to the end of the regular season.

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He might come back in time for the playoffs, but there would likely be a lot of concern about his production if he does come back, as the questions about his health will be very real.

Aaron Boone told reporters recently, "I don't know," regarding whether Judge would play again or not. That's not the kind of update Yankees fans will like to hear.

Unfortunately, with the postseason just a few weeks away, Yankees fans should expect to be without Judge for quite a while, if not for the rest of the 2026 season, including the playoffs.

The Yankees, entering play on Saturday, September 19, are 89-64 and have clinched a postseason spot already. As they try to make up ground in the AL East race and begin the MLB playoffs, they're likely to do so with Judge, as his return is unknown.