New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge has been diagnosed with a stress fracture of the first rib on his right side and is expected to miss significant time.

Judge underwent testing this week after experiencing discomfort that had persisted for an extended period. The three-time American League MVP missed three consecutive games while the Yankees worked to determine the source of the issue.

According to the team, Judge underwent an MRI, CT scan and X-rays and was evaluated by multiple specialists, including a vascular surgeon in Dallas.

The Yankees announced that Judge will undergo repeat imaging in four to six weeks to evaluate healing and determine the next steps in his recovery. Despite the lengthy recovery timeline, the team stated that Judge is expected to return at some point during the 2026 season.

Pro Football Doc Analysis

Aaron Judge's diagnosis comes with both good news and bad news.

The good news is that concerns about thoracic outlet syndrome appear to be unfounded. There was significant speculation after Judge was referred to a thoracic outlet specialist, but Pro Football Doc noted that thoracic outlet syndrome is typically a vascular issue and was unlikely to be the cause of Judge's symptoms.

The bad news is that Judge has been diagnosed with a stress fracture, or stress reaction, of the right first rib. Because Judge bats and throws right-handed, the injury will require a significant period of rest before he can safely resume baseball activities.

According to Pro Football Doc, Judge will likely need at least 30 to 45 days of rest before follow-up imaging can evaluate how well the fracture is healing. Based on that timeline, a 60-day injured list stint appears likely.

The silver lining is that surgery is not expected to be necessary and the diagnosis is not thoracic outlet syndrome. The expectation remains that Judge will return at some point during the 2026 season.

However, Yankees fans should prepare for an extended absence. Pro Football Doc expects Judge's recovery timeline to be measured in months rather than weeks, with roughly two months on the injured list being the most realistic expectation.

Current Outlook

Judge is expected to miss significant time while the fracture heals. The Yankees will reassess his progress with additional imaging in four to six weeks, and the organization remains optimistic he will return later this season.

Before the injury, Judge was batting .248 with 17 home runs and a .907 OPS in 59 games.