Aaron Judge Injury Update: Can Spencer Jones Fill The Void For The Yankees?

New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge is set to miss an extended period of time, and the team will turn to Spencer Jones to replace him.

New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) smiles back at his teammates after his bloop hit fell between two Athletics fielders during the third inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Both the Yankees and fantasy owners were dealt a crushing blow with news of Aaron Judge's rib injury. He has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his upper right rib and will be re-evaluated in 4-6 weeks. After that, it will likely take him up to two weeks to a month to ramp up after being cleared for baseball activities.

Breaking: Aaron Judge has been diagnosed with a stress fracture on the first rib on his right side, the Yankees announced Thursday.

He will be reimaged in approximately four to six weeks. pic.twitter.com/h60NTEQveY

— ESPN (@espn) June 5, 2026

Even in the best-case scenario, fantasy owners should be prepared to be without Judge until at least August and even possibly September. The Yankees could replace him with a rotation of players. Since the injury took place, they have been rotating between Jose Caballero and Max Schuemann in right field, but they are expected to call up prospect Spencer Jones to be the long-term replacement until Judge is ready to return.

Fantasy Impact

OF Aaron Judge, New York Yankees

There is no replacing Judge if you were depending on him for your fantasy team. He's an all-time great hitter with historic power, and a player like that is irreplaceable. However, fantasy owners are going to have to do their best to piece together enough production to keep themselves afloat until he returns, and hope he hits the ground running and comes back in time for the fantasy playoffs.

We would not advise trying to buy low on him, but it is also definitely too soon to cut him. However, if you are fighting for a playoff spot, we would suggest you shop him. If you get an offer you like from a team that believes they are already locked into the playoffs, you should pull the trigger and get what you can for Judge. He's the kind of star someone might overpay for in the hopes of adding him for the fantasy playoffs.

OF Spencer Jones, New York Yankees

This is a massive opportunity for Jones. If Judge comes back ready to roll for the American League playoffs, this could end up being a blessing in disguise for the Yankees if they find something special in Jones.

For fantasy owners, if you own Judge, you should be rushing to the waiver wire to acquire Jones. There is no doubt that he will come with significant risk, but there is a chance that you can catch lightning in a bottle with an impressive prospect with a huge opportunity falling into his lap.

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