🚨 Aaron Judge Sidelined vs. Phillies with Right Elbow Issue
July 26, 2025 | New York, NY: New York Yankees superstar and two‑time AL MVP Aaron Judge was removed from the starting lineup for Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies due to a concerning **right elbow injury**. He underwent medical imaging earlier in the day and the team is awaiting further updates.:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
🔍 What Led Up to the Injury
Judge reportedly first felt discomfort doing a throw during a recent game in Toronto, though he continued to play as the designated hitter midweek. During Friday’s outing against the Phillies, observers noted he was tossing the ball unusually softly from right field—signaling the severity of the issue.:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
“He was really dealing with it… The elbow seems less of an issue swinging, but defensively it was clear.” – Manager Aaron Boone:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
📊 Judge’s Season So Far
Despite the injury setback, Judge is having a historic season. He leads MLB with a stellar .342 batting average, a remarkable 1.160 OPS, and has totaled 37 home runs and 85 RBIs. He recently surpassed Alex Rodriguez for sixth all‑time in Yankees home runs with his latest long ball.:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
🏥 Medical Outlook & Team Concerns
Judge has undergone MRI imaging and evaluation with team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad, known for managing Tommy John surgery cases. At this stage, it's unclear whether the injury involves the ulnar collateral ligament or another structure, though Boone emphasized caution until full diagnostics are complete.
💰 Impact on Yankees Playoff Chances
The Yankees have stumbled since early June, posting a 14–22 record over that span and ceding ground to AL East leader Toronto. Losing their offensive anchor and team leader even temporarily could further derail their postseason hopes.:contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
🔑 Keywords
- MLB injury update
- Elbow imaging diagnostics
- Sports medical insurance
- Yankees lineup news
- Major league player health
📌 Final Note
Aaron Judge’s elbow issue brings uncertainty at a critical moment. As the Yankees await imaging results, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely. With Judge producing MVP numbers this season, any absence could significantly affect New York’s postseason push.
📎 Sources: ESPN, Reuters, AP News
