Aaron Judge, New York Yankees outfielder and current American League MVP is out of the team’s lineup in the Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Notably, he is awaiting imaging results on his right elbow. Manager Aaron Boone addressed the media, referring to the concern as an “elbow issue.”

Aaron Judge’s performance

Aaron Judge is dominating Major League Baseball, leading the league with a .342 batting average and a .711 slugging percentage. As of Saturday, he ranks second in the majors with 37 home runs and 85 RBIs, positioning him as the frontrunner to secure his third American League MVP award.

Injury concerns

Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed concern about Judge’s condition after he struggled to throw during Friday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies. “We’re obviously worried, but we’ll hold off until the imaging results come in,” Boone told the media.

Judge’s injury timeline

Aaron Judge’s elbow pain first surfaced during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on July 22, 2025, when he winced after a throw from right field. Manager Aaron Boone initially downplayed the issue, and Judge served as the designated hitter the next day, which Boone described as a planned rest day for his arm.

After an off-day on Thursday, Judge returned to right field on Friday against the Philadelphia Phillies but struggled with throwing, leading to his absence from Saturday’s lineup. He then underwent imaging on Saturday, July 26, with results still pending.

Aaron Judge’s importance to the New York Yankees

Aaron Judge, a two-time American League MVP and the favourite to win the award again in 2025, is having a historic season. Leading the majors with a .342 batting average and a 1.160 OPS, he ranks second with 37 home runs and has accumulated 7.2 fWAR through 103 games. His 208 wRC+ places him among the all-time great single-season performances.

The Yankees have struggled, posting a 14-22 record since mid-June and falling 5.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East. Despite holding the top AL Wild Card spot, their margin for error is slim, and losing Judge could jeopardize their playoff chances.

Impact on the lineup

With Judge sidelined, the Yankees are relying on their outfield depth. On Saturday, Cody Bellinger started in right field, Trent Grisham in center, and Jasson Dominguez in left against Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez.

Trade deadline implications

The timing of Judge’s injury, days before the July 31 trade deadline, complicates general manager Brian Cashman’s plans. The Yankees recently addressed their third-base need by acquiring Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies, who debuted on Saturday. They are also pursuing pitching reinforcements and considering a right-handed-hitting infielder. A prolonged absence for Judge could force a change in their strategy.