Yankees Injury Update: Aaron Judge, Clarke Schmidt, and More (July 18, 2026)

What’s Happening With Aaron Judge?

Aaron Judge is one of the biggest stars on the New York Yankees baseball team. Right now, he is hurt and not playing.

• He has a fractured rib (a cracked bone in his chest area).
• He has not played since May 31.
• The Yankees moved him to the 60-day injured list on Saturday. This is like a "hurt list" for players who can’t play for a long time.
• This move was just to free up a team roster spot for another player (more on that below).

Important Point: Judge needs another scan (like a photo of his bones) before he can start doing more baseball activities. His healing is going well, but he is not ready yet.

What Did the Doctor Say?

During the All-Star break (a short pause in games), Judge got a scan. A bone doctor named Dr. Gregory J. Pearl looked at it.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said:

• The healing is good.
• But Judge still can’t start baseball or upper-body workouts.
• Judge must feel no pain (asymptomatic) before ramping up activity.

Boone also said the pain is getting better — changing from sharp to more like a pull. That’s good news!

Judge’s Stats Before the Injury

Even though hurt, here is what Judge did before stopping:

• Batting average: .248 (means he got a hit about 1 in 4 times)
• 17 home runs
• 38 RBIs (runs brought in)
• Only 1 home run in his last 18 games

The Yankees were 36-23 when he last played. Since then, they are 18-20 — not as good!

Why Was Judge Moved to the 60-Day List?

This was procedural (just a formality):

1. The Yankees needed a spot on their 40-man roster.
2. They added a pitcher named Bradley Hanner from the minor leagues.
3. Hanner was then sent back down — so the move was just to make space.

Clarke Schmidt Might Come Back as a Reliever

Clarke Schmidt is a pitcher who had a big arm surgery last year (Tommy John surgery — fixes a torn elbow ligament).

• On July 11, he threw practice pitches to batters for the first time since surgery.
• He threw 15 pitches, reaching 95 mph (very fast!).
• He did not throw all his special pitches yet.

He said it felt good to be back. He might return this season as a reliever (a pitcher who comes in later in the game), even as an opener or bridge pitcher.

Important Point: Schmidt will throw practice again in 4–5 days. He knows he has limited time to build up his pitch count, so he is open to any role.

Giancarlo Stanton Could Return Soon

Giancarlo Stanton is the team’s designated hitter (he hits but doesn’t field).

• He has been out since April 24 with a strained right calf (back of lower leg).
• He is now running and hitting again.
• He hasn’t run the bases yet.
• Boone is hopeful he is close to coming back.

Max Fried’s Rehab Start

Max Fried is a pitcher out with a left elbow bone bruise.

• He made a minor league rehab start on Friday.
• He pitched 3 innings, allowed 2 runs, 5 hits, 3 strikeouts, 0 walks.
• Boone said he looked really good.
• He will get another rehab start in 5 days with more pitches.

Young Prospect George Lombard Jr.

George Lombard Jr. is a 21-year-old shortstop prospect (a young player hoping to reach the big leagues).

• He just returned from a hand injury (sprained fingers).
• In his first game back, he got 2 hits in 3 tries, including a home run.
• The Yankees think highly of him and he is getting closer to a real chance.

Summary

• Aaron Judge is healing from a cracked rib but needs another scan and no pain before more activity. Moved to 60-day IL as a roster formality.
• Clarke Schmidt is recovering from elbow surgery and may return as a reliever soon.
• Giancarlo Stanton is nearing return from calf strain.
• Max Fried is doing well in rehab from elbow bruise.
• George Lombard Jr. is a young player impressing after injury.

FAQ

Q: What does “60-day injured list” mean?
A: It means a player is officially too hurt to play for at least 60 days, freeing a team spot.

Q: What is Tommy John surgery?
A: It’s an operation to fix a torn elbow ligament in a pitcher’s throwing arm.

Q: Why is Judge not playing yet if healing?
A: He still feels pain and must be pain-free before doing baseball activities.

Q: What is a reliever?
A: A pitcher who comes into the game after the starting pitcher, often for short stints.