New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone dropped some concerning news before Tuesday's clash with the Cleveland Guardians: Aaron Judge is dealing with a bone bruise in his shoulder, and the three-time MVP is out of the starting lineup for the first time this season.
Boone told reporters, including MLB.com's Bryan Hoch, that Judge has been battling shoulder soreness for weeks. But after the weekend series against the Athletics, the discomfort escalated. Imaging revealed a bone bruise, and while Boone is hopeful it's not a long-term issue, the team is proceeding with caution.
"Hopefully, we've avoided something serious," Boone said. "But we'll have an idea more when he meets with the doctor and then as the next couple of days unfold."
Judge's absence comes amid an uncharacteristic slump. The 34-year-old slugger crushed his 15th home run on May 10, but since then, he's gone deep just twice in 18 games. His OPS has tumbled from 1.043 to .907 during that stretch, and over the last 15 days, he's hitting a paltry .178/.269/.289. Last week, he managed just four hits in 22 at-bats with no homers.
For a player who's won three MVP awards in the last four seasons and boasts a career .291/.411/.611 slash line, this is a noticeable dip. Judge is currently batting .248/.375/.533 after a mundane May. While still productive by most standards, it's a far cry from the Superman numbers fans have come to expect.
The shoulder issue may explain why Judge hasn't looked like himself. Injuries have been a recurring theme earlier in his career—from 2018 to 2020, he appeared in only 63 percent of New York's games (242 of 384). But in 2024 and 2025, he missed just 14 combined games, making this latest setback all the more jarring.
Even without Judge at his best, the Yankees lineup has been a force. They lead MLB with 86 home runs entering Tuesday, and their .770 OPS ranks second only to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ben Rice has been a standout, with 17 homers and a .306/.397/.658 slash line, looking like he could challenge for MVP honors himself.
With Judge sidelined, Jose Caballero is starting in right field. But the Yankees have options if Judge needs a stint on the injured list. Jasson Dominguez could begin a rehab assignment later this week, and top prospect Spencer Jones might get another look after a brief 10-game debut last month. The team's depth will be tested, much like when they dealt with other injuries this season, including the Blue Jays' brutal Sunday loss that shook up the AL East race.
For now, the Yankees and their fans are holding their breath. Judge's health is paramount, and any extended absence would be a massive blow to a team with World Series aspirations. Boone's update suggests the team is being cautious, but the next few days will be crucial in determining how long the MVP will be out.
