Will a Yankees Three-Time AL MVP Return for the 2026 Season?
On April 26th, Aaron Judge sustained a stress fracture to his first right rib while attempting a diving play against the Houston Astros. The three-time AL MVP tried to play through the pain, but he played his last game on May 31st and headed to the IL on June 5th. Since his absence, the New York Yankees have gone 20-21, losing their first-place positioning in the AL East Division and currently trailing the Tampa Bay Rays by two games. In the last few days, there have been conflicting reports about whether Judge will return for the 2026 season.
This past Friday, July 17th, Judge stated at Yankee Stadium, “There’s some progress, some healing going on, but it’s not fully healed. We’re still waiting on one more doctor to take a look at it and see how we progress forward the next couple of weeks, but it’s definitely a positive sign that we’re seeing some healing. It is feeling better; there were a couple of weeks that were tough, and I really couldn’t do a lot, but now I’m feeling 10 times better. That was my big complaint: If I’m feeling better, how about we start moving? I think they just don’t want to start adding baseball activities and all of a sudden we have a setback that pushes everything back.”
While the reports of progress are great news for the Yankees organization, there are still some concerns. With no baseball activities as of now, that pushes Judge’s timetable even further. Before playing another Major League game, the three-time AL MVP would have to build himself back up to be 100%, face live pitching, and complete a rehab assignment. Time is of the essence, and New York and their fans know this. Even if he does return for the 2026 season, expecting him to be at his full MVP self again could be far-fetched.
In 59 games, Judge has recorded 53 hits, 17 home runs, and 38 RBIs. The three-time AL MVP said, “It’s been the worst. I want to play; that’s why I’m here; that’s why I get paid, to play big games for the Yankees.” Hopefully, he’ll be able to return at a crucial point during the Bronx Bombers’ 2026 season, whether that’s trying to capture the AL East Division title, a Wild Card spot, or keeping the Yankees in the hunt. Regardless, Yankees fans are ready to see their captain come through in some big-time moments.
