Aaron Judge Lands on 60-Day IL as Yankees Add Pitchers

Judge’s Rib Fracture Puts Him on 60‑Day IL

Aaron Judge will need another diagnostic scan before any meaningful baseball activity as his fractured rib continues to heal. The Yankees officially moved the outfielder to the 60‑day injured list on Saturday, sidelining him from May 31 onward. Judge’s current .248 average, 17 home runs and 38 RBIs were compiled before the injury, and he posted just one homer in his final 18 games. Manager Aaron Boone described the pain as shifting from a sharp sensation to a more manageable pull, indicating gradual improvement. The next scan will be timed with Judge’s symptom level, and the plan is to ramp up upper‑body work only once he’s fully asymptomatic.

New York’s record illustrates the impact of his absence: the Yankees were 36‑23 when Judge last suited up, but they are only 18‑20 since his departure. The club’s medical team reviewed an earlier scan during the All‑Star break with Dr. Gregory J. Pearl, a vascular surgery chair at Baylor Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital in Texas. The move to the 60‑day IL also freed a spot on the 40‑man roster for right‑hander Bradley Hanner, who was selected from Triple‑A Scranton/Wilkes‑Barre and then optioned back.

Yankees Activate Relief Options as Rotation Plug In

Clarke Schmidt made a promising return to the mound, throwing an inning of batting practice for the first time since his Tommy John surgery on July 11 of last year and reaching 95 mph. The 30‑year‑old righty delivered 15 pitches, mixing four‑seamers, sinkers and cutters against Anthony Volpe and Ali Sánchez, and he plans another bullpen session in four or five days. Schmidt, who also had an internal brace in his operation, is willing to serve as an opener, a bridge pitcher or a pure reliever, acknowledging the limited time left to build pitch count this season. He hopes to be back in some capacity before the year ends.

Giancarlo Stanton is edging closer to a comeback after a strained right calf kept him out since April 24. The designated hitter is now a week into a running progression and has resumed hitting, though a setback three to four weeks ago delayed progress. Boone remains optimistic that Stanton will soon be near a full return, though he has not yet run the bases. The organization is carefully monitoring his recovery to ensure a safe reintegration.

Fried Closes in on Return from Elbow Bruise

Max Fried logged a rehab start for Triple‑A Scranton/Wilkes‑Barre on Friday, surrendering two runs and five hits over three innings with three strikeouts and no walks. The left‑hander used 52 pitches and appeared to feel good, prompting Boone to say he looked “really good.” Another minor‑league outing is slated within five days, after which the Yankees will adjust the volume based on how he responds. Fried has been sidelined since May 14 with a bone bruise in his left elbow, and a successful rehab would restore a key rotation piece.

The team’s medical staff has been cautious with Fried’s recovery, opting for a gradual workload to avoid re‑injury. If his elbow continues to tolerate higher velocities, he could be inserted back into the major‑league rotation shortly. The Yankees’ rotation currently lacks a proven left‑hander, so Fried’s return would provide valuable depth.

Prospect George Lombard Returns, Shows Promise

Shortstop prospect George Lombard Jr. returned to action Friday, going 2‑for‑3 with a home run and a walk for the RailRiders. The 21‑year‑old son of a former major leaguer had been sidelined since June 16 with sprained fingers on his left hand. Lombard is hitting .239 with five homers, 16 RBIs and eight stolen bases in 43 Triple‑A games, and Boone praised his development after the solid outing. The manager wants Lombard to build momentum, stacking productive days as he recovers.

Lombard’s performance underscores the Yankees’ focus on nurturing young talent at the major‑league level. His ability to hit for power and steal bases could fill a versatile defensive role if he reaches the majors. The organization views him as a rising asset, especially as the team continues to evaluate its infield depth.