ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — New York Yankees star Aaron Judge is set to have his injured rib reimaged during the All-Star break, with the team hoping the updated scans will show progress in his recovery.
The three-time AL MVP has been out of action since May 31. He was placed on the injured list on June 5 after a CT scan, an MRI, and a consultation with a specialist revealed a stress fracture in his right rib.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman addressed the situation with reporters on Thursday, emphasizing that the team won’t rush Judge back before he’s fully ready. “I don’t think we want to put him at risk of coming back while still injured,” Cashman said. “He should be asymptomatic before we turn him loose. If he’s asymptomatic and not feeling anything and (medical images) are showing healing, then it’s probably appropriate to get him going again. But we don’t want to, because the schedule is what it is, put him in a position where we’re putting him in jeopardy where it somehow gets worse.”
Cashman also noted that the injury has limited Judge’s ability to do upper-body workouts, as putting any strain on his rib cage is off the table for now. The upcoming imaging will give the team a clearer picture of how far along he is in his rehabilitation.
Entering their series finale against the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays, the Yankees had posted a 14-19 record during Judge’s absence.
