Yankees Star Aaron Judge's Health: GM Cashman Warns of 'Unclean' Scans and Incoming 'Storm'

The New York Yankees finally received a concrete update on captain Aaron Judge's fractured rib, a development that has been eagerly awaited for weeks. General Manager Brian Cashman announced on Thursday that Judge's fractured rib will be re-imaged during the upcoming All-Star break. This re-imaging comes as Judge concludes the sixth week of the initial 4-to-6-week timetable given when he was placed on the injured list on June 5, following his last game on May 31 in Sacramento.

Cashman, however, tempered expectations regarding the imaging results. He stated, "I don’t think we’re anticipating it's going to come back clean, I think we’re anticipating and hopeful that it’s showing the healing process." The exact timeframe for Judge's return, regardless of the findings, will be determined by the medical team. Cashman noted that Judge's current condition severely restricts his upper-body activities, preventing any stress on his rib cage to allow for proper healing.

Internally, the Yankees have maintained a best-case scenario for Judge's return by mid-August. This assumption accounts for a necessary period of at least three weeks, and possibly more, for Judge to rebuild his strength and readiness for major league games once cleared for baseball activities. This period is likened to another spring training, essential after six weeks of only lower-body conditioning. The importance of the upcoming MRI lies in determining the level of rib healing, which will dictate when Judge can begin full-bore baseball activities. Cashman stressed that Judge should be asymptomatic and show clear healing before being allowed to play, ensuring he is not put at risk of returning while still injured.

The Yankees' performance has significantly suffered in Judge's absence. With a 15-19 record without him this season, including a dismal 5-14 stretch (4-14 as of Thursday's game), the team's struggles are evident. Their offensive woes have been particularly pronounced, scoring only 49 runs in a 14-game span (an average of 2.7 runs per game) and hitting a mere 12-for-102 with runners in scoring position during that period. Despite an offensive breakout in a 12-4 victory over the Rays, which included two more homers from Ben Rice, the team's overall morale has been low.

Beyond Judge, the Yankees continue to battle other significant injuries. Giancarlo Stanton, on the injured list since April 28 with a right calf strain, experienced a "new injury" in the same calf area several weeks ago, a detail not previously disclosed by manager Aaron Boone. Stanton has now been cleared to start some running. Pitchers Max Fried (left elbow bone bruise) and Carlos Rodon (left elbow inflammation) are both progressing. Fried is set to face hitters in a simulated game, while Rodon has resumed playing catch. Cashman acknowledged the impact of these missing players but also emphasized the need for the current roster to perform better, particularly in offense and defense.

In a bit of positive news, Cashman provided an update on top position prospect George Lombard Jr. Currently on the minor league IL with two sprained fingers, Lombard has been taking ground balls and recently began hitting. Cashman suggested Lombard might play rehab games during the All-Star break and did not rule out a potential call-up to the major leagues this season. Nevertheless, the organization remains on pins and needles, eagerly awaiting the results of Judge's re-imaging, as good news would provide a much-needed morale boost for the struggling club.