Yankees' Aaron Judge Out with Elbow Issue Amid AL East Race

New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge is sidelined with a right elbow injury after experiencing discomfort while throwing during recent games, leading to him missing the July 26 matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies as he undergoes further medical imaging. The injury, which first appeared during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays, has raised concerns given Judge's outstanding 2025 season, in which he leads the majors with a .342 batting average and a 1.160 OPS, along with 37 home runs and 85 RBIs, putting him in strong contention for a third American League MVP award. Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed concern over Judge's ability to throw from the outfield and emphasized the importance of waiting for imaging results to determine the severity and next steps. The timing of this injury is particularly challenging for the Yankees, who have struggled in recent months and currently trail the Blue Jays by 5.5 games in the AL East. Fans and analysts alike worry about the potential impact on the Yankees' postseason chances, as Judge's presence is critical to the team's offensive success. While there is hope the injury is manageable, the possibility of a longer absence or surgery would be a significant setback for the team.