UPDATE: New York Yankees star Aaron Judge will NOT need surgery on his elbow, but left-hander Carlos Rodón underwent an operation this week and could potentially miss Opening Day. This urgent news comes as Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed the details just moments ago.
Judge, 33, suffered a flexor tendon injury in his right elbow on July 22 during a game against Toronto. Although his throwing was limited following this injury, Boone stated that an MRI conducted after the Yankees’ elimination last week revealed no need for surgical intervention. “He’ll take some time off and continue to do strengthening things and rehab,” Boone explained. “But it felt like he finished the season in a pretty good place.”
The two-time American League MVP had an impressive season, leading major leagues with a batting average of .331, an OPS of 1.144, and a WAR of 9.7. He also hit 53 home runs and drove in 114 RBIs. Boone anticipates Judge will be back as New York’s everyday right fielder in 2026.
Meanwhile, Rodón’s situation is more concerning. He was operated on by Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Wednesday to remove loose bodies from his left elbow and shave a bone spur. Boone indicated that Rodón will face at least eight weeks of no throwing, which could delay the start of his season by a couple of weeks. Rodón, who turns 33 in December, had a strong performance in 2023 with an 18-9 record and a 3.09 ERA.
In other news, Boone confirmed that slugger Giancarlo Stanton will also avoid surgery on his elbows. Additionally, the Yankees will see changes in their coaching staff, as Boone announced that bullpen coach Mike Harkey and first base/infield coach Travis Chapman will not return for 2026, along with assistant hitting coach Pat Roessler.
As fans await further updates, the focus remains on Judge’s recovery and Rodón’s timeline for returning to the mound. With Opening Day approaching, the Yankees need their stars healthy and ready to compete. Follow along for the latest developments as this story unfolds.
