The New York Yankees are facing a major question surrounding Aaron Judge as the 2026 MLB postseason approaches. Judge is back on the injured list with a right calf/soleus strain, and while the Yankees have not ruled out a postseason return, MLB insider Joel Sherman provided a concerning assessment of the situation Monday.
During an appearance discussing Judge’s injury, Sherman said there is a “strong possibility” that Judge doesn’t play anymore, referring to the remainder of the 2026 campaign.
Judge’s latest injury creates major uncertainty
Judge’s latest setback came just eight days after he returned from a lengthy absence caused by a fractured right rib. He appeared in only seven games before leaving the Yankees’ Sept. 16 loss to the Minnesota Twins because of tightness in his lower right leg. An MRI subsequently revealed a strain, and New York placed him on the 10-day injured list.
The Yankees have not provided a specific timetable for Judge’s return. Manager Aaron Boone said he did not know whether Judge would be available for the postseason, while MLB’s official injury report lists his expected return as TBD.
Judge’s earliest possible return to the regular-season lineup would be Sept. 27, the final game of the regular season. The American League Wild Card Series is scheduled to begin Sept. 29, leaving very little time for Judge to get back into game shape if he is able to return.
Yankees desperately need clarity on Judge
The timing makes Sherman’s comments particularly significant. Judge already missed most of the season because of the rib fracture, returning on Sept. 8 without a Minor League rehab assignment.
Before the latest injury, Judge had played 66 games and was batting .241 with 18 home runs and 41 RBIs. He also hit his first home run since returning from the rib injury during the Yankees’ series against Minnesota before the lower-leg issue surfaced.
Now, the Yankees have to wait and see how Judge responds to treatment while simultaneously preparing for the postseason without knowing whether their captain will be available.
Sherman’s comments are not an official Yankees diagnosis or a declaration that Judge’s season is over. They represent his assessment of the situation. For now, the Yankees’ official position remains that Judge’s return timetable is undetermined.
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