Judge's Injury Mystery: Yankees Slugger Dominates at Bat, Absent in Field

Aaron Judge BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.

Aaron Judge has been at the center of Yankees news and MLB debate this past week, both for his play on the field and the ongoing questions about his health. The biggest development is that although Judge returned from the injured list on August 5 after his right elbow flexor strain, he still has not played defense in any of the 21 games since activation. According to Yankees manager Aaron Boone, Judge may not play the outfield again this season, while Judge himself downplayed those remarks, leading to some confusion in the media and among fans. Coverage from Yanks Go Yard and MLBBro underscores how the silence and lack of an updated timetable have led to speculation that he may only hit for the remainder of the regular season, dealing a blow to both his MVP candidacy and the Yankees’ postseason hopes. Nevertheless, Judge was seen throwing pregame, indicating some ongoing efforts to return to the field, but Boone insists there is no clear date for a full return.

On the field, Judge remains a force at the plate. In the last few days, he hit his 41st home run of the season in an explosive Yankees victory over the Nationals, further cementing his reputation as the team’s offensive anchor. MLB.com highlighted how that two-run blast kicked off a historic nine-run inning that energized the Yankees fanbase, even as controversy swirled about the team’s overall performance. Judge also executed a surprising double steal in the first inning against the White Sox alongside Trent Grisham, which made the game highlights reels. Statistically, Judge still leads all of MLB in bWAR and is putting up historic offensive numbers, though there is now significant debate—reported by AZ Snakepit and MLB.com—about whether Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh might be more deserving of the AL MVP given Judge’s defensive absence and a recent second-half slump. Yanks Go Yard and MLB.com both examined how Judge’s batting has faltered since his elbow injury, dropping to a .197 average in the second half, but note that fans and teammates alike still look to him as the leader in the Yankees clubhouse.

Off the field, Judge continues to make waves with his philanthropic work. His ALL RISE Foundation announced its second annual 9/9 for 99 virtual auction, launching September 3. The auction offers Yankees experiences and personal interactions with Judge, with all proceeds going toward youth mentorship, scholarships, and leadership initiatives. Athlon Sports reports the foundation has invested heavily in inspiring kids through leadership and sports, including $109,500 in Mini-Grants since 2018.

Social media and Yankees blogs remain lively with both praise and criticism. Fans are debating whether the organization has mishandled Judge’s injury updates and whether the team’s front office, particularly Brian Cashman and Aaron Boone, has done enough to support their star. Judge himself has addressed the media diplomatically, saying “Coaches can’t fix that, fans can’t fix that, media can’t fix that. It’s the players in this room. We’ve got to step up,” reflecting both accountability and a desire to keep the focus internal as the team stares down a challenging playoff race.

To sum up, this week’s headlines: Judge is still slugging, still sidelined in the outfield, at the center of both MVP and injury debates, leveraging his star status for charity, and still the Yankees’ emotional core as the race tightens. Speculation about his true health will likely continue until he returns to the field—and given how much the Yankees’ playoff hopes rest on his shoulders, every update or sighting is headline news.

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