{"id":8296,"date":"2026-07-17T04:46:41","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T23:46:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=8296"},"modified":"2026-07-17T04:46:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T23:46:41","slug":"aaron-judge-specter-looms-over-start-of-yankees-second-half","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=8296","title":{"rendered":"Aaron Judge specter looms over start of Yankees&#8217; second half"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<p>As most of his teammates enjoyed a break to gear up for the second half, Aaron Judge was trying to find out how much of it he will be able to play in.<\/p>\n<p>The most significant item on the Yankees\u2019 docket this week was not Cody Bellinger <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/14\/sports\/cody-bellinger-gets-mvp-yankees-shine-in-american-leagues-all-star-win\/\">winning All-Star Game MVP<\/a>, Ben Rice showing off his swing in the Home Run Derby or even a 2024 World Series rematch against the Dodgers that begins on Friday in The Bronx.<\/p>\n<p>It was Judge going through a round of imaging on his right rib \u2014 nearly six weeks after doctors discovered a stress fracture \u2014 to help determine if and when he will <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/15\/sports\/aaron-judges-status-dodgers-three-peat-chase-and-trade-deadline-mlbs-biggest-second-half-storylines\/\">return to the Yankees in the second half<\/a>. The organization was not expecting to find a fully healed rib, but it was holding its breath nonetheless as it hoped to at least see enough improvement to allow the back-to-back AL MVP to begin mixing in some upper-body exercises after being shut down from them during his time on the injured list.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHopefully we get some positive news there and we can start moving forward,\u201d manager Aaron Boone said on the final day of the first half. \u201cBut I try not to think too much about it until we hear. It\u2019s going to be what it is.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The results, though, could have a major impact in determining the Yankees\u2019 fate this season. If enough healing has occurred, perhaps Judge could be back at some point in late August. If not, well, then the clock starts ticking a bit louder on the Yankees\u2019 hope and expectation to get Judge back on the field this season.<\/p>\n<p>But either way, the Yankees are not going to rush Judge back too soon.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><button class=\"button button--modal-trigger\" aria-label=\"Open the image in a modal.\" data-modal-image=\"40007770\"><br \/>\n\t<default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-plus\" fill=\"#fff\" viewbox=\"0 0 1033 1000\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\"><default:path d=\"M380 364V0h273v355h380v290H653v355H380V645H0V355h380v9z\"\/><\/default:svg><br \/>\n<\/button><br \/>\n<img style=\"aspect-ratio:1.38378378;display:block\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"40007770\" width=\"816\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/new-york-yankees-assistant-hitting-133813297_880f2e.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Jake Hirst and Aaron Judge in the dugout during a baseball game.\" class=\"wp-image-40007770\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/new-york-yankees-assistant-hitting-133813297_880f2e.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 2788w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/new-york-yankees-assistant-hitting-133813297_880f2e.jpg?resize=300,217&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/new-york-yankees-assistant-hitting-133813297_880f2e.jpg?resize=768,555&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 768w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/new-york-yankees-assistant-hitting-133813297_880f2e.jpg?resize=1024,740&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/new-york-yankees-assistant-hitting-133813297_880f2e.jpg?resize=1536,1111&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1536w, 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50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 816px) 100vw, 816px\"\/><figcaption>Yankees assistant hitting coach Jake Hirst, left, and Aaron Judge watch from the dugout. <span class=\"credit\">AP Photo\/Jason Behnken<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-primary-tag\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cWe don\u2019t want to, because the schedule is what it is, put him in the position where we\u2019re putting him in jeopardy, where somehow it gets worse,\u201d GM Brian Cashman said last week. \u201cBecause the downside of that would be a real problem, in my opinion, from what I understand.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Yankees also know that even in a best-case scenario, it is likely still going to be at least another month before they get Judge back, meaning they will have to do better than their 18-19 record since he last played. They began 12-8 without him, then entered a 2-11 tailspin in which they were terrible at just about every facet of the game, before recovering to win four straight games heading into the break.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><button class=\"button button--modal-trigger\" aria-label=\"Open the image in a modal.\" data-modal-image=\"40007789\"><br \/>\n\t<default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-plus\" fill=\"#fff\" viewbox=\"0 0 1033 1000\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\"><default:path d=\"M380 364V0h273v355h380v290H653v355H380V645H0V355h380v9z\"\/><\/default:svg><br \/>\n<\/button><br \/>\n<img style=\"aspect-ratio:1.50367107;display:block\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"40007789\" width=\"887\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/new-york-yankees-pitcher-max-133384765.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"New York Yankees pitcher Max Fried throws a live bullpen session.\" 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https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/new-york-yankees-pitcher-max-133384765.jpg?resize=231,154&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 231w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/new-york-yankees-pitcher-max-133384765.jpg?resize=322,214&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/new-york-yankees-pitcher-max-133384765.jpg?resize=664,441&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 664w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/new-york-yankees-pitcher-max-133384765.jpg?resize=90,60&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 90w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/new-york-yankees-pitcher-max-133384765.jpg?resize=120,80&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 120w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/new-york-yankees-pitcher-max-133384765.jpg?resize=1200,798&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/new-york-yankees-pitcher-max-133384765.jpg?resize=87,58&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 87w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/new-york-yankees-pitcher-max-133384765.jpg?resize=50,33&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 887px) 100vw, 887px\"\/><figcaption>Yankees pitcher Max Fried throws a live bullpen session before a game against the Minnesota Twins. <span class=\"credit\">John Jones-Imagn Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"product-spotlight product-spotlight-block wp-block-nypost-editor-product-spotlight\">\n<p>\n\t\t\tYankees Merch Shop\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\tNew York Post receives revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and when you make a purchase.\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>They should get some help in the coming weeks with the potential return of Max Fried (who <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/05\/sports\/max-fried-moves-one-step-closer-to-yankees-rehab-start\/\">could begin a rehab assignment<\/a> Friday night) and Carlos Rod\u00f3n (there was hope he might throw a bullpen session during the break) to strengthen the rotation. Their bullpen and perhaps the lineup (especially at catcher) could get reinforcements by the Aug. 3 trade deadline. And maybe they get Giancarlo Stanton back at some point in the second half, though they still don\u2019t seem to have much of an idea about when that could happen after a second calf strain delayed his return.<\/p>\n<p>That said, had you told the Yankees before the season that in the first half they would miss Judge for 37 games, Stanton for 70 games, Fried for 52 games, Rod\u00f3n for 52 games and Gerrit Cole for 51 games before the All-Star break, and they would still be 54-42 \u2014 three games back of the Rays for first place in the AL East \u2014 they likely would have signed up for that.<\/p>\n<p>But the goal is not just to survive extended injury absences from most of their stars and highest-paid players. The goal is to win in October, and for that to happen, the Yankees will first need to get good news from Judge\u2019s reimaging this week.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<p>\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Steve Phillips Knows the Mets Look Like Major Sellers at the All-Star Break | The Show\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MJS3D8Nl6nk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>\u201cThe way I look at it is, we\u2019ve given ourselves a chance to realize all our hopes and dreams,\u201d Boone said. \u201cWe\u2019re set up to go take it. It\u2019s a long way to go still. For whatever\u2019s gone on in the first however many games we\u2019ve played now, we\u2019ve given ourselves a chance. Our goal is to play for and win a championship. That\u2019s still there for the taking. It\u2019s going to be a long road, tough road, but hopefully one we\u2019re up to the challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As most of his teammates enjoyed a break to gear up for the second half, Aaron Judge was trying to find out how much of it he will be able to play in. The most significant item on the Yankees\u2019 docket this week was not Cody Bellinger winning All-Star Game MVP, Ben Rice showing off&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8297,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/crop-40007770_9331b7.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8296","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-hub"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8296","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8296"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8296\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8297"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8296"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8296"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8296"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}