According to Jack Curry of the YES Network, the Yankees have placed Aaron Judge on the 10-Day IL and called up OF Spencer Jones from Triple-A.
New York announced that Aaron Judge has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in the first rib on his right side. Judge will be reevaluated in 4-6 weeks to test his healing.
New York also made it clear they expect Judge back before season’s end but the Bombers should expect to be without their MVP until at least August.
I know the internet is the place where pessimism goes to get railed out in a back alley by nihilism but I’m choosing to take the loss of the best player in baseball as a potential good thing for the Yankees.
Before I convince myself the burning building isn’t on fire, here’s what Aaron Judge’s 2026 was looking like before his rib shattered:
- .248 batting average
- 17 homers
- 38 RBIs
- 53 hits
- .907 OPS
- 152 OPS+
Slow year for Judge, a career-year for most.
His struggles forgivable now, knowing the GOAT’s ribs have been aching every time he swings the bat.
Still hit 17 of them thangs though.
Absolute legend.
Greatest Yankee of my lifetime.
A titan using his powers to give as many souvenirs to as many fans as he physically can.
A hero, really.
You never want to hear Herecules needs to sit out a couple months cause his ribs hurt—especially when he’s singlehandedly carried the Yankees offense year after year—but we’re too focused on the first half of the news—Aaron Judge to the IL—ignoring the more important news on the backend—Yankees calling up outfielder Spencer Jones.
Spencer Jones ROY loading…
Rookie slugger Spencer Jones went 3-for-3 with an RBI.
3-for-3 night for Spencer Jones! pic.twitter.com/AfmlNrEHb1
— Talkin’ Yanks (@TalkinYanks) June 6, 2026
Centerfielder Trent Grisham is playing on a expring deal.
Cody Bellinger, Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge are on the team longterm but next season, they’ll have a spot available in the outfield.
Spencer Jones is now auditioning for the role.
Jones hit 35 home runs last year, including 19 at Triple-A, while striking out in 35.4% of his plate appearances. No qualified major leaguer struck out more than 32.3% in 2025.
Yike.
He’s returned this season with 13 homers in 43 games, a batting stance with PS2 loading time, and a 3-for-3 night against the Boston Red Sox.
This Aaron Judge injury gives the Yankees a chance to explore their future without having to sacrifice any at-bats.
Not only will the Yankees be able to discern whether or not Spencer Jones is up for the position of New York Yankees starting outfielder, Jason Dominguez is also on the way back from a concussion, currently rehabbing in Triple-A.
Jasson Dominguez redemption??
Looking to reclaim his spot as the future of the Yankees organization following a disappointing 2025, Jasson Dominguez has the same opportunity in front of him as Spencer Jones.
In 429 plate appearances, he hit just ten home runs. A 9.6% walk rate helped his on-base percentage, leading to a .257/.331/.388 line and 103 wRC+. He stole 23 bases but received awful grades for his left field defense. His minus-7 Defensive Runs Saved and minus-10 Outs Above Average were some of the lowest among big league outfielders.
At 23 years old, 2 years younger than Spencer, Jasson may be nowhere near his potential ceiling.
For the next two months, we are about to witness two young superstars push each other to greatness.
(Or you will watch two young men crumble under the burdensome weight of pinstripes)
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