Aaron Judge Undergoes Rib Imaging Six Weeks After Stress Fracture as Yankees Stay Close in AL East

com reported. The back-to-back AL MVP has been sidelined since the injury was identified, and the scans were intended to determine whether healing has progressed enough to allow upper-body exercises. Manager Aaron Boone said on the final day of the first half that the team hoped for positive results.

“Hopefully we get some positive news there and we can start moving forward,” Boone said. “But I try not to think too much about it until we hear. ” General manager Brian Cashman said last week that the team would not rush Judge back.

“We don’t want to, because the schedule is what it is, put him in the position where we’re putting him in jeopardy, where somehow it gets worse,” Cashman said. ” The Yankees hold an 18-19 record since Judge last played. They began 12-8 without him before a 2-11 stretch, then won four straight games heading into the All-Star break.

The team is 54-42 overall and three games behind the Rays in the AL East. Other key pitchers and hitters have also been absent for extended periods. The Yankees missed Giancarlo Stanton for 70 games, Max Fried for 52 games, Carlos Rodón for 52 games, and Gerrit Cole for 51 games before the break, in addition to the 37 games without Judge.

Max Fried could begin a rehab assignment Friday night, and there was hope Carlos Rodón might throw a bullpen session during the break. Boone said the team has positioned itself for a strong finish. “The way I look at it is, we’ve given ourselves a chance to realize all our hopes and dreams,” Boone said.

“Our goal is to play for and win a championship.