Yankees top legend out of lineup due to ‘elbow issue.
- On Saturday, July 26, 2025, the New York Yankees left Aaron Judge out of their lineup against the Philadelphia Phillies due to a right elbow issue. Manager Aaron Boone confirmed that Judge underwent imaging that morning, and the team awaits evaluation from the Yankees’ team physician, Dr. Christopher Ahmad
- The elbow symptoms surfaced after Judge made a throw during Tuesday’s game in Toronto, visibly wincing afterward. Although he continued playing as DH on Wednesday and returned to right field Friday, Boone noted that Judge had trouble throwing from the outfield during that game
- Boone described the situation as “obviously a concern,” clarifying that while Judge hasn’t indicated whether the issue involves the ulnar collateral ligament (the one typically associated with Tommy John surgery), “it appears to be impacting his throwing more than his hitting”
📊 Judge’s Recent Season Snapshot:
- In 103 games this season, Judge leads MLB with a batting average of .342, an OPS of 1.160, 37 home runs, and 85 RBIs, putting him in strong contention for a third AL MVP award ● He also surpassed Alex Rodríguez on the Yankees’ all-time HR list with his 37th homer this week
🔎 What Happens Next?
| Task | Details |
|---|---|
| Imaging Review | Judge met Saturday with Dr. Ahmad, a highly regarded Tommy John surgeon, who will evaluate MRI/X‑ray results |
| Short‑Term Outlook | Manager Boone hopes this is a manageable injury that could require only a short break—possibly just a few days |
| Worst‑Case Scenario | If the ulnar collateral ligament is involved, Judge could face Tommy John surgery, which typically entails 12–18 months of recovery—a loss that would severely impact the Yankees’ playoff chances |
Why This Matters:
- Judge is the offensive linchpin of a Yankees team that has struggled since mid‑June, going 14–22 during that stretch. They now trail the Blue Jays by 5½ games in the AL
- Losing Judge, even temporarily, could force GM Brian Cashman to make significant moves before the Trade Deadline, including bolstering pitching or getting additional depth at third base ◆ Cody Bellinger is expected to shift to right field and Ryan McMahon could take over at third in his stead
✅ In Summary:
- Judge missed Saturday’s lineup spot due to a right elbow issue that has affected his throwing ability.
- The Yankees await imaging results and physician evaluation to determine the exact diagnosis and severity.
- If it’s minor, Judge could potentially return quickly—but concerns remain around the ulnar collateral ligament, which would be far more serious.
