What Happened to Aaron James Judge?
Aaron Judge is an American professional baseball right fielder and captain for the New York Yankees, renowned for his prodigious power hitting. He holds the American League single-season home run record with 62 in 2022 and has won three AL MVP awards (2022, 2024, 2025). As of July 2026, he is recovering from a stress fracture in his right rib, which has kept him out of play since early June, though he was still named an All-Star.
Quick Answer
Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees' captain and three-time AL MVP, is currently sidelined with a stress fracture in his right rib, an injury sustained in early June 2026. Despite the injury, he was named an American League All-Star for the eighth time in July 2026, though he will not play. Judge signed a nine-year, $360 million contract with the Yankees in December 2022, solidifying his long-term future with the team after a record-breaking 2022 season where he hit 62 home runs. He continued his dominance by winning consecutive MVP awards in 2024 and 2025, also securing the AL batting title in 2025.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Drafted by New York Yankees
Aaron Judge was selected by the New York Yankees in the first round (32nd overall) of the MLB draft out of Fresno State University.
MLB Debut and First Career Home Run
Judge made his Major League Baseball debut for the New York Yankees, hitting a home run in his very first at-bat.
AL Rookie of the Year and All-Star Selection
He set a new rookie record with 52 home runs, earned his first All-Star selection, and was unanimously voted the American League Rookie of the Year.
Sets AL Home Run Record and Wins First AL MVP
Judge hit 62 home runs, breaking Roger Maris's 61-year-old American League single-season record, and won his first AL Most Valuable Player Award.
Signs $360M Contract and Named Yankees Captain
Judge re-signed with the New York Yankees on a nine-year, $360 million contract, the largest ever for a free agent position player, and was named the 16th captain in franchise history.
Wins Roberto Clemente Award
Aaron Judge received the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, recognizing his exceptional character, community involvement, and contributions on and off the field.
Fastest Player to 250 Career Home Runs
Judge became the fastest player in MLB history to reach 250 career home runs.
Wins Second AL MVP and Reaches 300 Career Home Runs
Judge won his second AL MVP award by unanimous vote, led MLB in home runs and OPS, and became the fastest player to hit 300 career home runs. The Yankees also won the AL Pennant.
Wins Third AL MVP and First Batting Title
He secured his third AL MVP award (second consecutive), won his first American League batting title with a .331 average, and hit 53 home runs. He also earned his fifth Silver Slugger and third Hank Aaron Award.
MLB The Show 2026 Cover Athlete
It was announced that Aaron Judge would be featured on the cover of the MLB The Show 2026 video game, wearing both his Yankees pinstripes and Team USA uniform.
Placed on Injured List with Rib Fracture
Judge was placed on the injured list with a stress fracture in his right first rib, an injury that has kept him out of play since.
Named 8x All-Star (Unable to Play)
Despite his injury, Judge was voted as an AL starter in the outfield for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, marking his eighth selection, though he will not play.
Rib Injury Re-imaging Scheduled
During the All-Star break, Judge is scheduled to have his injured rib re-imaged to assess the healing progress and determine his return timeline.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Aaron Judge's journey to becoming one of Major League Baseball's most recognizable stars began when he was drafted by the New York Yankees in the first round (32nd overall) of the 2013 MLB draft out of Fresno State University. After progressing through the minor leagues, he made his highly anticipated MLB debut on August 13, 2016, famously hitting a home run in his first at-bat. His breakout season came in 2017, where he set a rookie record with 52 home runs, earned an All-Star selection, and was unanimously named the American League Rookie of the Year.
The 2022 season marked a historic turning point for Judge. He captivated the baseball world by hitting 62 home runs, breaking Roger Maris's 61-year-old American League single-season record. This monumental achievement, coupled with leading the league in numerous offensive categories, earned him his first AL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award. Following this career-defining season, Judge entered free agency, leading to intense speculation about his future. Ultimately, he re-signed with the New York Yankees on a massive nine-year, $360 million contract in December 2022, the largest ever for a free agent position player at the time, and was subsequently named the 16th captain in Yankees franchise history.
Judge continued to build on his legacy in the subsequent years. In 2023, he was honored with the Roberto Clemente Award for his outstanding character and community involvement. The 2024 season saw him claim his second AL MVP award by unanimous vote, leading MLB in home runs and OPS, and becoming the fastest player to reach 300 career home runs. The Yankees also reached their first AL Pennant in 15 years, though they lost in the World Series. His dominance extended into 2025, where he secured his third AL MVP award, his second consecutive, and remarkably won his first career batting title with a .331 average, alongside hitting 53 home runs. He also earned his fifth Silver Slugger Award and third Hank Aaron Award that year.
As of the 2026 season, Judge was named the cover athlete for MLB The Show 2026 and captained the United States national team during the World Baseball Classic. However, his season was interrupted in early June when he was placed on the injured list with a stress fracture in his right first rib, an injury he believes stemmed from a diving play in late April. This injury has significantly impacted the Yankees, who have struggled in his absence. Despite being unable to play, Judge was still selected for his eighth All-Star Game in July 2026. His current status, as of July 14, 2026, involves undergoing re-imaging of his rib during the All-Star break to assess healing and determine his return timeline, which is crucial for the Yankees' playoff aspirations and potential trade deadline strategy.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Aaron James Judge made different choices?