Moreover, Boone made it clear that although there’s a plan in place for Judge’s rehab, it’s neither final nor set in stone. Should challenges present themselves along the way, New York will adapt. In turn, that could delay Judge’s return, but the hope remains that he will be back before the MLB campaign comes to an end, likely with some games to spare to find his footing before the postseason.

“[Judge has] got a calendar of what they’re doing, but you make adjustments to that as you go,” Boone commented, via MLB.com. “They’re definitely mapping things out, but as you go, you check some boxes and move on. Sometimes that progress speeds up a little bit. Sometimes you take a step back.”

Boone preaches patience with Judge

Boone’s statement on Judge speaks for itself. The Yankees’ manager got his message across loud and clear. Indeed, Boone remains confident in Judge’s return this season and believes he can be back at full capacity, ruling out a new role for Judge when he returns to the lineup. Still, that’s not to say he will roll the dice any more than New York needs to.

Judge is on the right path and could soon be sent down to the minors on a rehab assignment before finally being activated from the 60-day injured list (IL). He might face some adversity along the way, but as long as it’s not a serious issue, the Yankees remain confident in his recovery.

Sooner or later, Judge will return, and even an out-of-rhythm version of the three-time MVP in The Show is a reinforcement for the Pinstripers’ batting order and right field.

NY Yankees need Judge to stop bad streak

With Judge out of the batting order, the Yankees are missing a crucial presence in the early innings. As a result, it’s little mystery why New York has struggled to hit the ground running in MLB games. As of Aug. 26, the Yankees have gone scoreless in 23 straight first innings. They are one scoreless first-inning away from tying the franchise’s worst streak.

The last time the Pinstripers scored a run in the opening inning was during a 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Chicago White Sox on July 29. That was in the Windy City, though. The last time the Yankees scored in the first inning at Yankee Stadium was on July 20, in an 8-5 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

If there’s a silver lining for fans, it’s the fact that those stuck in traffic or waiting for the train to the Bronx won’t miss out on much if they can’t make it to Yankee Stadium for the bottom of the first inning. Maybe Judge is the key to breaking the hex, though the Yankees would hope to break the curse sooner.

White lie or not, Cruz and Boone weren’t being completely transparent when speaking about the pitcher’s health. Either that, or his status worsened overnight, leading to him being placed on the MLB injured list with an issue in his throwing elbow.

“Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves: Placed RHP Fernando Cruz on the 15-day injured list with right elbow discomfort,” as announced on the club’s X account (@Yankees).

What had Boone said about Cruz?

Asked whether Cruz was playing through fatigue or something worse, and if that had something to do with the reliever’s struggles during New York’s 9-7 loss to the Houston Astros, Boone brushed off those concerns. He admitted fatigue is always a factor at this stage of the season, but he didn’t make too much of it.

At the very least, the manager showed no signs of there being any fire behind the smoke. Thus, upon learning that Cruz was headed to the 15-day IL, fans had reason to feel as if the truth had been hidden from them.

“Yes, [fatigue] is always part of it at this time of the year,” Boone admitted during his postgame media availability. “But he’s just been hurt in some situations, behind in some counts where they have a pitch in their area and haven’t missed it.“

Another pitcher goes down for the Yankees

It’s becoming a sorry sight at this point for the Yankees. Their rotation loses key names almost on a daily basis. With Cruz, however, there’s reason to believe there may not be much to worry about. Similarly to Boone’s update on Max Fried’s timeline, Cruz’s IL stint may be a bit of a “phantom” one.

Indeed, he’s dealing with a hiccup, but it doesn’t seem to be one that could put his season in jeopardy. In the end, the 15-day IL may have been the safest option Boone and New York landed on to give their reliever a much-needed rest. Were the season looking different, the Yankees may not have sidelined Cruz.

This way, they can get the northpaw relief pitcher back energized for the pennant race later in the year. Plus, after watching the bullpen derail against Houston, making some changes and bringing in fresh air doesn’t feel like the worst idea in the world.

“I see potential in them that they could be really great players for a long time. They’ve already shown they are good players. But they could be great players for a long time. I really just want to be a small part in their journey toward becoming those players,” Bichette stated via The Athletic‘s Will Sammon.

Bichette also added: “As the season has gone on, the more time I spend here, the more I feel like a Met. They’re a huge part of the future here, and I just want what’s best for them.”

It’s clear that things didn’t go as expected for the Mets this season. However, judging by Bo Bichette’s comments, there are still plenty of reasons for optimism. Will Benge and Ewing become the faces of the franchise in the near future?

Mets rookies have made a statement this season

Even in what’s been a rough 2026 campaign for the Mets, the emergence of Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing has given Queens plenty of reason for optimism. Benge has stepped up nicely as a major-league regular, posting a .282 average alongside 16 home runs, 53 RBIs, 19 stolen bases, and a .342 OBP over 476 at-bats.

Meanwhile, Ewing has shown impressive flashes of his toolset with a .244 average, 7 homers, 28 RBIs, and 41 runs scored through 89 games. With their blend of hit tools, athleticism, and early poise at the highest level, many around the organization already view this young duo as core pillars of the franchise’s future.

Will Bichette remain with Mets?

Bo Bichette is under contract with the Mets on a 3-year, $126 million deal he signed prior to the season ($42M AAV). However, his deal features an opt-out clause after this 2026 campaign, leaving his future in Queens somewhat up in the air.

While he has publicly stated how much he’s enjoying his time with the team, whether he actually suits up for the Mets next season hinges entirely on his decision this winter: he can either exercise his opt-out to test free agency again or stay put to collect the remaining $84 million on his contract over the next two years.

Nightengale reported that several D-backs players are “incensed” over Marte’s latest antics, a frustration amplified by the fact that he previously left the club for three unapproved days following last season’s All-Star break.

With the regular season heading into the home stretch, Arizona must now navigate major internal friction. Even as Marte nears a return from the injured list, questions surround his focus and commitment, with reported comments from inside the room underscoring a rift within the roster.

While manager Torey Lovullo publicly insists the Diamondbacks are preparing for Marte’s imminent reactivation, the damaging report paints a far more complicated picture for a team that desperately needs total cohesion to stay afloat in the postseason chase.

Marte’s questionable actions

Marte drew heavy scrutiny following an unauthorized absence during a road series, mysteriously failing to report to the ballpark. Public backlash intensified after footage surfaced showing him gambling at a casino near the team facility shortly after being placed on the IL.

The fallout threatens to leave lasting scars on the franchise’s internal culture. Marte’s abrupt disappearance and the optics that followed have severely strained relations with both team leadership and the veteran core during a critical postseason push.

Marte’s potential comeback

Despite the brewing controversy, Marte could make a return to the diamond sooner than expected, targeting an August 31 return date. If activated, he would rejoin the Diamondbacks just in time for their series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies.

“Overall, feeling really good,” Story admitted in dialogue with The Boston Globe. “I’m on [time with] the barrel, just a touch off [on squaring pitches]. [It’s] to be expected. I think more than the results, it’s more about how I’m feeling and kind of dictating the at-bat. And I’m in a good spot there. So, feel good about [returning].”

Although the Red Sox are set to bring Story and Isiah Kiner-Falefa back, there’s a catch. Moreover, the former has yet to impress, and not everybody agrees he’s ready to return just yet. The thing is, if Story isn’t called up now, after admitting he feels alright, then when?

Never-ending Story for Trevor

Story has been sidelined in the 2026 MLB season since May. The Red Sox’ shortstop underwent sports hernia surgery, was placed on the 60-day injured list (IL), and has slowly worked his way back since. Sent on a rehab assignment to Worcester, Story has already played seven games in the minor leagues but barely has anything to show for it.

Through seven outings, Story has managed just four hits in 25 at-bats, while putting up a .160 AVG, .192 OBP, .160 SLG, and .352 OPS. His base running may be salvaged from the critics, as he has managed to score half the times he has reached first base. Story has yet to hit anything better than a single in the MiLB.

Moreover, Story has two RBIs, a walk, and seven strikeouts. Due to his aggressive nature at the plate, striking out and chasing balls well outside the zone has long been an issue for Story. In Worcester, it’s been no different.

Red Sox fans wary of Story’s return

Struggling in the minors, fans in The Hub are wary of how Story may look at the plate when he returns to Fenway Park. Story made it clear he isn’t looking at the stat box. However, that’s partly because it’s a deflating sheet to look at. Needless to say, the fanbase in Beantown is looking at it, and are far from thrilled.

“On one hand it’s good he’s itching to come back. On the other, he hasn’t done anything in the minor rehab to suggest he will be good to go. For me stick down until you show consistency then OK,” a fan commented on social media.

Regardless of the outside noise, all Story cares about is feeling good and confident enough to take on major league pitchers on a daily basis while being a reliable option for Boston at shortstop or wherever interim manager Chad Tracy needs him on the infield.

Story’s contract

Some fans have gone as far as to suggest Story stay in the minors through the season. That’s unrealistic. He may not have performed as expected, but Boston is still paying him a $25 million salary in 2026 and will do so again in 2027. In 2028, Story’s six-year, $140 million contract could be extended through a team option.

Story declined to opt out of his contract prior to the 2026 MLB season, and this is the hand he’s been dealt because of it: facing harsh criticism from fans and dealing with a considerable setback that has raised even more questions about his ability at the plate, where he’s left plenty of them ever since he arrived in Boston in 2022.

Much was speculated when New York traded for Garcia Jr. ahead of the 2026 MLB trade deadline, but the first baseman has quieted all doubts one strong at-bat at a time. After his four-hit, two-run game against the Astros, Boone issued a strong statement aimed at the fans who criticized the move at the time.

“[Garcia Jr.] has got some serious thunder coming through the zone, he’s a really good hitter. I hope our fanbase is starting to see what a live bat that we got in here,” Boone said during his postgame press conference. “He’s hit some balls really hard since he’s been here. He’s capable of nights like this. He’s got serious juice, I think he’s ready-made for this ballpark, and it’s good to see him have a night like that.”

Garcia Jr. has season-high

Thanks to his four hits and two runs in the Yankees’ 9-7 loss against the Astros, the former Washington Nationals infielder recorded his best game of the 2026 MLB campaign. He went four-for-five at the plate and improved his batting average on the season to .283, with a .284 AVG since joining the Yankees.

If he can keep it up, Garcia Jr. could finish with a career-best average. His .871 OPS is also trending toward the highest of his MLB career, further testament to the year he’s had in both Washington and New York. As Boone stated, Garcia Jr. is a bit of an unsung hero in the Bronx.

When fans talk about the team’s offense, they rarely mention him, yet he’s been one of the most consistent batters on the squad. Obviously, the small sample size helps his case, but Garcia Jr. owns the second-best AVG in the lineup, trailing only rookie sensation George Lombard Jr.

Garcia Jr.’s night gets lost in bullpen train wreck

Had the Yankees managed to hold on to their lead over the Astros, Garcia Jr.’s performance may have become one of the most memorable of the season for New York. However, the Yanks struggled to get help out of their bullpen, a rare sight considering its form at the mound this season.

Going through relievers like someone searching a drawer for a pen that still has ink, Boone and the Bronx Bombers watched their lead disappear late, and not even Garcia Jr.’s strong bat could bring New York back.

By the time the ninth inning arrived and Houston closer Josh Hader took the mound, all hope at Yankee Stadium was long gone. Hader needed only 10 pitches to dispatch the Yankees, and with the loss, Garcia Jr.’s night was all in vain.

“It’s just that part of the year,” Cruz said via the New York Daily News. “This is a marathon. There’s ups and downs, like every player has.” His physical fatigue became a topic of discussion, although the player himself completely dismissed that possibility.

“Yeah, I’m feeling good,” he revealed regarding this rumors. “I mean, every player has the battles with their bodies and stuff, but we’re gonna be good.” Cruz is confident he can turn things around in the near future, as the Bronx Bombers will undoubtedly need every player performing at their best to have a shot at the title.

Cruz’s recent struggles

Fernando Cruz has been hitting a rough patch out of the bullpen recently. Over his last 19 innings pitched, the right-hander has surrendered nine earned runs, issued 11 passes, and given up four home runs, with a particularly tough 12.2-inning stretch accounting for seven of those runs, nine walks, and four long balls.

The struggle carried right into Tuesday’s matchup against Houston Astros, where he gave up a game-tying, two-run blast to Jeremy Peña in the sixth frame of an eventual 9-7 loss for New York.

New York looks to turn the series around against the Astros

After dropping the series opener, the Yankees will look to bounce back and flip the script against the Astros right at home at Yankee Stadium. They have two more games to close out the series in the Bronx—Wednesday night (August 26) and Thursday night (August 27).

Following this matchup, New York stays home for a marquee rivalry series against the Boston Red Sox over the weekend before heading out to the West Coast to face the Los Angeles Angels.

Highlighting his recent tear against the Philadelphia Phillies, Raleigh became just the second player in Mariners franchise history to homer in four consecutive at-bats, joining Mike Cameron’s iconic 2002 feat, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

Even when he isn’t sitting atop the league’s leaderboards, Raleigh’s knack for timely home runs serves as a promising sign for a Mariners squad aiming to recreate last season’s magical run, a campaign that featured the catcher as its primary star.

While contenders like the New York Yankees grapple with key roster absences like Aaron Judge, the Mariners lean heavily on Raleigh as their rock through the grind of the MLB regular season, expecting his impact to carry straight into October.

Raleigh’s impact this season

Cal Raleigh remains a cornerstone for Seattle, blending elite defensive leadership behind the dish with explosive late-season power. Though his overall batting average sits at .169, “Big Dumper” stays dangerous with 18 home runs and 52 RBIs, all while guiding one of the premier pitching rotations in Major League Baseball.

His season grabbed national headlines during a historic late-August surge, homering in four consecutive at-bats across a two-game stretch against the Phillies. Building on his record-setting 2025 campaign—where he set an MLB record for catchers with 60 home runs—Raleigh’s rare power profile continues to fuel Seattle’s wild-card chase.

Raleigh locked in long-term with the Mariners

Offseason speculation surrounding Raleigh’s future had reached a fever pitch, with reported interest from big-market suitors like the Yankees prompting Seattle’s front office to take decisive action on a contract extension.

The Mariners secured their franchise cornerstone on March 26, 2025, signing Raleigh to a six-year, $105 million extension. The deal locks up the star backstop through 2030 and includes a vesting player option for the 2031 season.

However, following the high-profile departure of general manager Dana Brown, owner Jim Crane clarified the organizational direction by confirming that Espada will remain in the dugout through the end of the year. The decision sparked widespread reaction across baseball, particularly regarding Espada’s long-term future and expiring contract.

Amid the recent front-office turnover and internal shifts, Espada’s standing was directly impacted when leadership opted against extending his contract prior to the season. As a result, the second-year skipper will manage out the remainder of the campaign without a deal for next year.

While rival franchises like the New York Yankees reportedly weigh major roster overhauls with veteran stalwarts like Giancarlo Stanton, the Astros are attempting to navigate a critical transition period, balancing on-field results with pending changes across their coaching staff and baseball operations.

Reasons to let Espada go after 2026

Espada was informed by top organizational officials that his contract will not be renewed once the season concludes. While front-office leadership offered him the opportunity to step down immediately, Espada opted to stay on the bench and manage out the remainder of the campaign.

The Astros manager originally signed a three-year contract when succeeding Dusty Baker ahead of the 2024 season. However, ownership declined to offer an extension entering the final year of his deal, leaving him to navigate the 2026 campaign on an expiring contract.

Espada’s stats with the Astros so far

Despite guiding the team to winning records in back-to-back seasons, Espada’s club has struggled to replicate Houston’s traditional October dominance, highlighted by a disappointing 0-2 postseason mark. Let’s take a closer look at Espada’s overall managerial track record in Houston:

• Overall record: 240 wins, 214 losses (.529 winning percentage) in 454 regular-season games.
• 2024 season: 88–73 record (.547 win pct); finished 1st in AL West; lost AL Wild Card Series 0–2 vs. Detroit Tigers.
• 2025 season: 87–75 record (.537 win pct); finished 2nd in AL West; missed postseason.
• 2026 season: 66–66 record (.496 win pct) through late August. Postseason Record: 0–2 (.000 win pct) across 1 playoff appearance.
• Notable milestone: Earned his first career managerial win on April 1, 2024, via a no-hitter thrown by Ronel Blanco (the first manager in MLB history to record his first win on a no-hitter).

“I did everything I could,” he said, via Chris Cotillo of MassLive. “I thought I made that clear. I took all the shots (injections) I could, as soon as I could. I tried to do everything to get back on the field. Unfortunately, maybe we pushed too hard. Every time I tried to do that, it may have set me back a little bit. But at the same time, I saw three outside doctors that told me this was a three-month injury. After it all, it took right about that much.

“I don’t have anything to say to anyone or anything to prove to anyone. For me, I’m just excited to get back and play baseball with the guys. People are going to talk regardless — good or bad.”

The criticism stemmed from the fact that his recovery was initially expected to be much shorter than it ultimately turned out to be. Fortunately for him and the rest of the team, all indications are that he will be back in a Red Sox uniform in the coming days.

What injury did Roman Anthony suffer?

Roman Anthony went down in early May 2026 after suffering a partially torn ligament in his ring finger along with a right wrist sprain, retroactively placed on the IL on May 5 and later transferred to the 60-day IL. The setback hit right as he was finding his rhythm at the plate—he was riding a mini hot streak, hitting .385 over his final four games before landing on the shelf.

Before the injury cut his start short, Anthony appeared in 30 games for Boston, posting a .229/.354/.321 slash line with 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 12 runs scored, 20 walks, and 2 stolen bases over 109 at-bats. Though the overall average looked modest on paper, his top-tier plate discipline stood out, drawing walks at a strong rate to keep his on-base percentage healthy.

Anthony’s highly anticipated return

The BoSox are currently wrapping up an away interleague set against the Miami Marlins before heading into two critical series against the New York Yankees in the Bronx and back home at Fenway Park versus the Seattle Mariners. Meanwhile, Roman Anthony has been making strong progress on his minor-league rehab assignment.

Following games with Triple-A Worcester this week, the Red Sox will re-evaluate his status on Thursday; if cleared, he is slated to rejoin the big-league club as early as Friday, August 28, just in time for the high-stakes rivalry series at Yankee Stadium.

Prior to the Yankees‘ series opener against the Houston Astros at home in the Bronx, Judge took part in an overhand batting practice session in the cages down the dugout stairs at Yankee Stadium. In what was the latest development in Judge’s lengthy yet encouraging recovery from a stress fracture of his right first rib, Boone made it clear he likes what he’s seeing from the three-time MVP amid what’s been a troubling 2026 MLB season for him.

“[Judge is] hitting down there. He looks good,” Boone admitted, via MLB.com, before the start of the game on Tuesday. “He’s been shagging [fly balls] just to kind of get the body used to being out there in the field and stuff, so he’s doing pretty well.”

What’s next for Judge’s rehab?

That’s where the true speculation lies. No one knows for certain when Judge will return to the field in the 2026 MLB season. Not even Boone. Some speculate the Yankees are saving Judge’s return for Sept. 11 against the New York Mets, but it’s all conjecture. However, all the Yankees care about is that Judge actually comes back before October. Barring a setback, that fear seems to be out of the question.

As long as he isn’t rushed or put in danger, the Yankees want him to get as many reps and games under his belt as possible to find his footing. So far, so good, and Judge appears to be on the right track to return from the 60-day injured list (IL).

“The Yankees have not provided a firm timeline for Judge’s next steps. But typically, overhand batting practice would be followed by at-bats against velocity,” as reported by Bryan Hoch on MLB.com. “Then Judge would advance to live batting practice as a precursor to game action, with a likely Minor League rehab stint coming ahead of big league games.“

How long has Judge been out?

Judge hasn’t played in the 2026 MLB season since May 31. Clearly, he will need some time to acclimate to the level of pitching in the Show, as well as find his footing back in right field. Thus, all signs point toward New York sending Judge to its Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, on a rehab assignment.

When exactly, that’s a different question. Cody Bellinger spent some time in the Electric and Diamond Cities as well, and he was on the IL for less than a month. With Judge, the Yankees won’t take any chances, especially with the MLB postseason looming on the horizon.