The New York Yankees felt the sting of absence in their first game without star slugger Aaron Judge this season, falling 9-4 to the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday. The loss dropped the series and left the Yankees staring down the possibility of a sweep. Pregame reports revealed the bombshell: Judge was sidelined with an elbow issue, awaiting imaging results that would determine his immediate future.
By Sunday morning, the diagnosis landed—a right flexor strain—prompting the Yankees to place Judge on the 10-day injured list. The move opened a roster spot, allowing New York to activate utility man Amed Rosario, freshly acquired from the Washington Nationals in a trade just 12 hours prior. While the team adjusts, all eyes are on Judge’s recovery timeline and its ripple effects across Major League Baseball.
Prior to today’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves:
• Recalled LHP Brent Headrick (#47) from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
• Placed OF Aaron Judge on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to 7/26) with a right flexor strain.
• Added INF/OF Amed Rosario to the…— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 27, 2025
Manager Aaron Boone offered a glimmer of hope, suggesting Judge could return as early as August 5, the minimum 10-day stint. However, the comeback plan has a twist: Judge is likely to ease back as a designated hitter before resuming his outfield duties. This shift could see 35-year-old Giancarlo Stanton, who hasn’t patrolled the outfield since 2023, stepping back into the grass to fill the void.
Judge’s bat, even after a recent slump, remains indispensable. Over his last 11 games, he hit .184 with a .750 OPS, including a 1-for-13 stretch before the injury. Yet, his season-long dominance tells a different story: a .342 batting average, 1.160 OPS, 37 home runs, 24 doubles, 85 RBIs, and 90 runs, plus a league-leading 6.8 WAR. These numbers cemented him as the frontrunner for his third AL MVP award, though this setback might give Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh a chance to close the gap.
The Yankees, clinging to a 1.5-game lead in the AL Wild Card race, face a critical stretch without their superstar. Sunday’s series finale against the Phillies at 1:35 p.m. ET will test their resilience as they navigate this blow. With Judge sidelined, New York’s depth and adaptability will be under scrutiny, but the prospect of his swift return as a DH offers a beacon of hope for fans and a warning to rivals: the Yankees are planning to roar back.