Yankees Hold AL Lead as Aaron Judge Rehab Assessment Remains Delayed

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday that the team is not yet ready to evaluate Aaron Judge for baseball-specific activities. Judge has been out of the lineup for the full duration of June 2026. Boone’s comments, relayed by team reporter Brian Hoch, came as nearly two-thirds of an initial six-week recovery window had passed.

Early projections after the injury had pointed to a return around the middle of the summer. The Yankees have held a leading spot in the American League standings for much of the 2026 season despite the absence of their three-time AL MVP, who serves as the central figure in the batting order.

” The remarks indicate the organization has not moved to assessing Judge for batting practice, throwing, running or fielding drills.

Yardbarker.com reported that such steps are typically required before a player advances toward a minor-league rehabilitation assignment. Observers now project a return no earlier than August, with any intensified drills still weeks away and a possible rehabilitation stint not expected before late July.