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NEW YORK — The Yankees’ quest to win their division, or even return to the playoffs, just became a lot more difficult.
Three-time MVP Aaron Judge’s injury is a lot more serious than what the initial imaging had revealed, a bruised upper rib.
Another MRI on Wednesday and then a second CT scan and more X-rays on Thursday uncovered something far worse: a stress fracture.
Best case, Judge will be sidelined at least until sometime in August.
The Yankees announced the news Thursday night after Judge’s latest imaging was reviewed by Dr. Gregory Pearl, a Dallas-based vascular surgeon who specializes in thoracic outlet syndrome.
“Aaron Judge has been diagnosed with a stress fracture of the first rib on his right side,” the Yankees wrote in a release. “This will require a period of rest and limited activity. He will be reimaged in approximately four to six weeks to determine level of healing and appropriate next steps.
“Judge is expected to return at some point this season.”
The Yankees waited four days and three nights, holding out some hope that Judge, who started every game this season until Tuesday, might be ready to play this weekend.
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Now, the Yankees will continue their season with a big hole in right field.
Super-utility players Jose Caballero and Max Schuemann filled in for Judge in this week’s series against the Guardians.
Jasson Dominguez could take Judge’s lineup spot soon, as he’s about a week away from coming off the injured list. The switch-hitter has been sidelined since May 8 with a left shoulder AC joint sprain that occurred during a crash into the left field wall at Yankee Stadium, but he’s scheduled to play the first two of around four rehab games this Friday and Sunday with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
When Dominguez comes off the IL, he likely will become the Yankees’ starter in left field with Cody Bellinger moving from left to right.
Bracing for the worst, several Yankees players discussed potentially losing Judge for a long time after Thursday’s 2-1 win at Yankee Stadium.
“It’s tough when the best player in the world, the best player on the team is down,” pitcher Carlos Rodon said. “It’s one of those things where we have to go out there and win. Obviously, we all want him in the lineup, but we’ve got to go out there and compete and win today, so that’s kind of our mindset.”
“Huge loss,” Bellinger added. “Judge does many things well. Just writing his name in the lineup helps us.”
With a 36-25 record, the Yankees are heading into a home weekend series against the Red Sox trailing the Rays by a half-game for first in the AL East.
“It kind of sucks not having a three-time MVP in your lineup, but at the same time we all know that we can’t use that as an excuse out there,” second baseman Jazz Chisholm said. “We’re all baseball players and we’ve got to go out there and win.”
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