Aaron Judge diagnosed with stress fracture in ribs, out at least 4 weeks in huge blow to Yankees

Aaron Judge is out for the foreseeable future for the New York Yankees.

The team announced that Judge has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in the first rib of his right side. He will reportedly be examined in four-to-six weeks and “is expected to return at some point this season.”

Judge has been out of the lineup since May 31 as the Yankees’ medical staff sought a clear understanding of what he was dealing with. The outfielder was originally diagnosed with a bone bruise near his right rib cage after he experienced discomfort in his right shoulder for several weeks.

As bad as a month-plus without Judge could be, it could have been worse. Judge was reported earlier Thursday that Judge’s test results were being reviewed by a specialist in thoracic outlet syndrome, an issue that is sometimes a career-ender for pitchers and also serious for position players.

Through 59 games this season, Judge is batting .248 with 17 home runs and 38 RBI.

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“Aaron obviously means a lot to us,” Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole said earlier this week. “He just plays great baseball all the time and brings great energy. It’s tough when guys get hurt, but unfortunately, it’s part of the game. As a team, you’ve got to figure out how to step up in those situations, and so that’s what we’ll do.”

The discomfort appears to have been affecting Judge at the plate, as the Yankees’ captain has batted .206 with one home run, eight RBI and 19 strikeouts since May 11.

José Caballero has taken over right field in Judge’s absence.

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