Aaron Judge was out of the starting lineup for a third consecutive game on Thursday as the Yankees' medical staff continued to seek a clear read on what is ailing the club's captain.
A New York-based specialist confirmed the Yankees' initial diagnosis of a bone bruise near the slugger’s right rib cage, according to manager Aaron Boone, then ordered additional testing. Judge went for an MRI exam Wednesday night and had X-ray and CT scans Thursday, as the Yankees seek a complete diagnosis.
The need for additional imaging suggests the issue might be more significant than Boone initially indicated on Tuesday, when Judge missed his first game of the season after reporting discomfort during the club’s series against the Athletics in West Sacramento.
“I want to know, I think, as much or more than all of you,” Boone said, adding the club is “hoping there’s that chance” Judge can avoid a stint on the injured list.
Max Schuemann was penciled in as the starter in right field, batting ninth, for the Yankees' finale against the Guardians in the Bronx. Playing without Judge Wednesday, the Yankees were handed a 5-4 loss, their third defeat in four games.
“Aaron obviously means a lot to us,” Gerrit Cole said. “He just plays great baseball all the time and brings great energy. It’s tough when guys get hurt, but unfortunately, it’s part of the game. As a team, you’ve got to figure out how to step up in those situations, and so that’s what we’ll do.”
According to Boone, Judge has been managing discomfort in his right shoulder for “the last couple of weeks,” though he only feels it when swinging. Judge has not spoken to reporters since the club’s series in West Sacramento.
Boone said Judge could not identify a specific play when the discomfort began.
Since May 11, Judge is 14-for-68 (.206) with one home run, eight RBIs and 19 strikeouts. Overall, he is slashing .248/.375/.533 with 17 home runs and 38 RBIs in 59 games.
In 2019, Judge endured a significant issue with his right rib cage. He sustained a stress fracture of his right first rib and a partially collapsed lung while attempting a diving catch in a September 2019 game.
Judge played through that injury into the 2019 postseason, but had the pandemic-shortened ‘20 season started on time, he would have been on the injured list until June.
The Yankees are not sure if Judge will ultimately land on the injured list, but as of Wednesday evening, they also weren’t ruling it out.
“We just want clarity on what we’re exactly dealing with,” Boone said. “Then we can set the course of action and kind of have an idea what the timeline is going to be.”
José Caballero started in right field on Tuesday and Wednesday in place of the 34-year-old Judge, who has won three of the American League’s past four Most Valuable Player Awards (2022, ’24, ’25).