NEW YORK – Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge does not have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, but he has a stress fracture of the first rib on the right side, the team announced at 10:03 p.m. ET.
This means this will require a period of rest and limited activity. He will be re-imaged in approximately four to six weeks to determine the level of healing and appropriate next steps.
Judge missed the three-game series against the Guardians at Yankee Stadium, and it took three days to determine what his problem was. According to manager Aaron Boone, Judge received additional imaging on Wednesday. Boone said swelling in Judge’s rib area has prevented doctors from identifying the source of Judge’s problems immediately.
Judge felt the discomfort in his shoulder and upper rib area while taking swings against the A’s this past weekend in West Sacramento. During that three-game series, Judge went 2-for-12 (.167) with four RBIs.
Judge is in his 10th full season with the Yankees and remains their best player. Entering Friday’s action against the Red Sox, Judge has a slash line of .248/.533/.907 with 17 home runs and 38 RBIs. Boone said he didn’t know who would get most of the reps during Judge’s absence. As the skipper put it, “It’s day to day.” During the first two games against the Guardians, José Caballero received the starts in right field, while Max Schuemann played nine innings on Thursday.
“(Judge is) the best hitter in the sport and, obviously, what he means to us,” Boone said. “There is a void there, but we also have really good players that can pick it up. I loved the way we played the game today, (but) you are not replacing Aaron Judge.”
Judge has yet to talk to the media since the Yankees returned to New York, but he is in good spirits, according to teammate Jazz Chisholm.
“He has been good, staying positive,” Chisholm said. “I’ve never seen him negative, ever, to be honest with you. He is like the same guy. Honestly, he is handling it really well.”
