Aaron Judge Announces He'll Return During 2026 MLB Season

Will the New York Yankees get Aaron Judge back this season? Apparently, the answer is a resounding yes.

Unfortunately, the Yankees have been without Judge since May 31. The three-time MVP and eight-time All-Star suffered a right rib stress fracture that requires a lengthy rehab process. Before he went down with this injury, Judge was batting .248 with 17 home runs and 38 RBI.

Prior to Monday night's game against the St. Louis Cardinals, manager Aaron Boone said he was "optimistic" about Judge's recovery timeline. However, he didn't exactly give the fan base in the Bronx something to cheer about.

"We currently are still very optimistic that he's going to return, but there's challenges with all that too," Boone said. "There's a very high likelihood that he fits the time frame to come back and join us. That's what I'm hoping and holding onto."

While speaking to the media this week, Judge declared that he'll return to the field before the 2026 season ends.

"I'll be back this season," Judge said. "I don’t know why I wouldn’t be. That was always the plan to come back — sooner than later, definitely — but I never had a thought of not playing this year."

The Yankees could use Judge this season.

Despite losing Judge for over two months, the Yankees are just 3.5 games out of first place in the AL East. That being said, they're only 5-5 in their last 10 games.

If the Yankees are truly going to contend for a World Series title, they'll need Judge back in the starting lineup. When healthy, we're talking about the best power hitter in baseball.

Hopefully, the Yankees announce a return date for Judge before August comes to an end.