Aaron Judge sidelined with shoulder discomfort against Guardians

NEW YORK – Aaron Judge was sent for imaging after experiencing discomfort in his right shoulder and upper rib area during the Yankees’ recent series in Sacramento, manager Aaron Boone stated on Tuesday. Initial results indicated a bone bruise, according to Boone, who noted that Judge would receive further evaluation by a team physician on Tuesday. The Yankees captain was not in the lineup for the club’s series opener against the Guardians. Boone mentioned that Judge, who had been in the starting lineup for every game so far in 2026, could be considered day-to-day.

“Hopefully, we’ve avoided something serious,” Boone said. “But we’ll have an idea more when he meets with the doctor and as the next couple of days unfold.”

Boone indicated that Judge had been managing persistent soreness in his right shoulder for “the last couple of weeks,” but he noticed that it seemed to worsen during the series against the Athletics. Judge went 2-for-12 in that set, driving in four runs.

“The last couple of games in Sacramento, I think it became a little more than that, where I noticed it with some swings and stuff,” Boone stated. “I think it was affecting him.” Boone said Judge could not recall a specific play where the discomfort began. At 34, Judge has won three of the American League’s last four MVP awards (2022, ’24, ’25). He entered Tuesday batting .248/.375/.533 with 17 home runs and 38 RBIs in 59 games.

“Hopefully, it is something that we just get calmed down here and put it behind us,” Boone said.