Yankees' Trade Plans Revealed After Aaron Judge Injury
The New York Yankees have been hanging around at the top of the American League East with the Tampa Bay Rays, although that might not be the case much longer.
Yankees superstar and reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge missed time earlier in the week, and the official diagnosis came late on Thursday night.
Judge was diagnosed with a stress fracture on the first rib on his right side, and the estimated timeline is a four-to-six week recovery.
It's a tough blow for the Yankees, especially with Judge hitting .248 with 17 home runs and 38 RBI before landing on the IL.
That timeline means Judge is out at least until right before the All-Star break and the worst-case scenario is that he returns towards the end of July.
But, it doesn't seem that the Yankees are eager to make a trade to add a slugger or an outfielder in Judge's absence, according to ESPN's Jorge Castillo.
"It could accelerate the Yankees' efforts to acquire an accomplished hitter to lengthen the lineup, but adding an outfielder isn't imperative given their in-house options and Judge's prognosis. The Yankees' more obvious areas for offensive upgrades remain on the left side of the infield and catcher," Castillo wrote.
So, at least for now, it doesn't seem that New York will try and make any major moves to replace Judge in the trade market.
Who Will Fill in for Judge?
The immediate option figures to be 25-year-old Spencer Jones.
The Yankees just recalled Jones on Friday after officially placing Judge on the IL.
Prior to tonight's game, the Yankees made the following roster moves:
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) June 5, 2026
• Recalled OF Spencer Jones (#78) from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
• Placed OF Aaron Judge on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to 6/2) with a stress fracture of his right rib.
Jones made his MLB debut recently, but he hit just .167 with 2 RBI in 10 games and 24 at-bats before being sent back down to Triple-A.
Things could certainly change on this front once Jasson Dominguez is off the injured list, and Castillo gave some other candidates to fill in for Judge.
"Other options include Jose Caballero, Max Schuemann, and Amed Rosario. Caballero started in right field Tuesday and Wednesday against the Cleveland Guardians before Schuemann got the start in Thursday's series finale," Castillo wrote.
The Yankees entered the weekend with a 37-25 record, so they should definitely be able to stay afloat and remain towards the top of the AL East until Judge returns.
Related: Aaron Judge Injury Update Sends Yankees Nasty Curve Ball
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This story was originally published June 6, 2026 at 3:25 AM.