The New York Yankees’ 2026 MLB season has been highly successful so far, especially considering the extended absences of Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger. The bad news for the rest of the league is that Jazz Chisholm Jr. believes the Pinstripes will take a major step forward once their stars return.
“The IL team is great, just to say. Just to have them back would just be a huge boost in everyone’s morale. I feel like everybody healthy is such good energy,” Chisholm Jr. said to the press.
The Yankees’ injury list doesn’t only feature top stars such as Judge, but also key players such as Ryan Weathers, Giancarlo Stanton and Max Fried. Will some of them return in time to help push New York to another World Series?
When will Judge and Bellinger be available?
Yankees fans shouldn’t have to wait much longer for Cody Bellinger’s comeback, as he’s set to rejoin the lineup on August 23 following a brief rehab stint for his left hamstring strain. As for Aaron Judge, his recovery from a right rib stress fracture is moving in the right direction—he’s already taking dry swings and doing tee work, with the front office eyeing a mid-to-late September return just in time for the stretch run.
Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees looks on from the dugout.
The Bronx Bombers’ season despite the injuries
Injury setbacks are common in MLB, and the Yankees know that all too well. However, despite a large number of players who have been unable to perform as expected, Aaron Boone’s team remains in contention in the AL East.
Jazz Chisholm Jr., who blamed bad luck for his recent struggles, was one of the players who, in one way or another, tried to carry the team on his shoulders during this stretch of the season, which has the Pinstripes sitting at 73-56, just behind the Tampa Bay Rays.
What’s next for the Yankees?
The New York Yankees are set to wrap up their home series against the Toronto Blue Jays before heading into an off day on Monday. The Bronx Bombers will then host the Houston Astros for a three-game set starting August 25, followed by a high-stakes rivalry matchup against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium, before heading out on a West Coast road trip to face the Los Angeles Angels.
