The Yankees can breathe a sigh of relief about Aaron Judge.
Manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that the star outfielder will not need offseason surgery to repair his right elbow.
An MRI taken following the season revealed that Judgeâs elbow has been healing properly. Judge, 33, is expected to be ready for Opening Day 2026.
âIt showed continued improvement in the flexor muscles,â Boone said, via MLB.com. âAnd he finished the season doing pretty well. So, no surgery is going to be needed for Aaron.â
Ailing Elbow Limited Judge to DH Duties
Judgeâs elbow was an ongoing issue last season. He was put on the injured list with a flexor strain in July and was limited to designated hitter duties after returning in August. At the time, he expressed frustrations about his reduced role.
âItâs brutal. Iâm a ballplayer,â Judge said, via MLB.com. âI want to play both sides of the ball. I want to be out there making plays on defense, helping my team out. I know hitting is important, but I feel like I can impact the team on both sides. I canât wait to be back out there.â
Judge returned to right field in September and remained there through the majority of the postseason, though his throwing was compromised.
Still, Judge continued to put up monster numbers at the plate. The seven-time All-Star hit .331 to win his first American League batting title and also slugged 53 home runs and 114 RBI in 152 games. Judgeâs 1.144 OPS led the majors, while his 124 walks were second to only Mets outfielder Juan Soto (127).
Additionally, Judge was 13-for-26 (.500) with one homer and seven RBI in seven postseason games.
Judge is in contention alongside Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh to win his third AL MVP award.
Volpe Will Miss Opening Day Following Surgery
Things werenât as promising for shortstop Anthony Volpe, who underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a torn labrum in his left non-throwing shoulder.
The procedure is expected to knock Volpe out for the start of next season. General manager Brian Cashman said Thursday, via ESPN, that Volpe wonât swing a bat for at least four months. He added that the Yankees hope to have Volpe back âsometime in April; maybe, worst-scenario, May.â
The Yankees open the season against the Giants in San Francisco on March 25.
The former Yankees top prospect slashed just .212/.272/.391 with 19 homers and 72 RBI and tied Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story for the AL lead in errors with 19.
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