Yankees Injury Update: Aaron Judge Recovery Delayed While Max Fried Moves Closer to Return

The New York Yankees continue to manage several key injuries as the club works through an important stage of the season. The latest update brings mixed news for the team, with Aaron Judge’s recovery taking longer than hoped while left-handed pitcher Max Fried has taken a significant step toward returning to the major league rotation.

Aaron Judge received a second medical opinion after undergoing follow-up imaging earlier this week. According to the evaluation from a Texas-based rib specialist, the stress fracture in Judge’s right rib has not healed enough for him to resume baseball activities. The specialist agreed with the Yankees’ team physician that additional healing is required before Judge can safely begin swinging a bat or participating in baseball workouts.

While the latest scans showed that the injury is improving, the recovery process remains incomplete. Judge said he will be able to increase his rehabilitation slightly by adding pool exercises, but he must continue waiting before starting baseball-specific activities. Another round of imaging is expected in approximately two weeks to determine whether enough progress has been made.

The delay means the Yankees are expected to remain without one of their most important players for several more weeks. Based on the current timeline, a return sometime in September remains the most realistic expectation if the healing process continues without setbacks.

Manager Aaron Boone expressed optimism that Judge is making progress, pointing to the positive signs of healing while also emphasizing that the organization will remain patient until medical staff determine he is ready to begin baseball activities. The Yankees continue to prioritize a full recovery rather than rushing their star outfielder back into the lineup.

Before landing on the injured list, Judge appeared in 59 games during the 2026 season. He posted a .248 batting average with 17 home runs, 38 RBIs, five stolen bases and a .907 OPS. His absence has been a significant challenge for the Yankees as they continue navigating the season.

There was more encouraging news on the pitching side as Max Fried returned to competitive action for the first time in more than two months. Making a rehabilitation start for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the left-hander completed three innings in a controlled outing.

Fried allowed two runs during his appearance, including an RBI single in the opening inning and a solo home run in the third. He struck out three batters, did not issue a walk and threw 52 pitches. Although some rust was expected after such a lengthy absence, the outing represented an important milestone in his recovery from a left elbow bone bruise.

The Yankees plan for Fried includes another rehabilitation start next week. His workload is expected to increase to around 60 pitches as the club evaluates whether he will need an additional minor league appearance before returning to the major league roster. Boone said the organization will assess Fried’s readiness after the next outing before making a final decision.

Fried has been sidelined since May after leaving a start against Baltimore because of elbow discomfort. Prior to the injury, he compiled a 4-3 record with a 3.21 ERA across 10 starts while striking out 50 batters in 61.2 innings.

The Yankees are also continuing to monitor the progress of several other injured players.

Left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodon is recovering from left elbow inflammation. He returned to throwing on Friday with a brief 10-pitch session. While his rehabilitation continues in the right direction, Boone indicated that Rodon has not yet advanced to bullpen sessions. His projected return remains early August.

Designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton is still working back from a right calf strain. His rehabilitation has progressed to running outdoors, but the Yankees have not established a timetable for his return. Stanton has missed a significant portion of the season, and the organization continues to take a cautious approach with his recovery.

Pitcher Clarke Schmidt is also making steady progress following Tommy John surgery performed in July 2025. His rehabilitation is moving from bullpen sessions to a one-inning live batting practice appearance. The Yankees expect he will still need additional time before beginning a formal minor league rehabilitation assignment, making a return later in August or September the current expectation.

With several key contributors working toward recovery at different stages, the Yankees continue balancing patience with the hope of reinforcing their roster during the second half of the season. Judge’s recovery remains the biggest long-term concern, while Fried’s increasing workload provides encouraging signs that one of the club’s top starters could soon rejoin the rotation. The coming weeks will be important as the organization receives updated medical evaluations and determines the next steps for each injured player.

Sources

1. New York Yankees (Official Team Updates)
2. Major League Baseball (MLB)