Why is aaron judge not playing

On 28 September 2026, the New York Yankees officially announced that team captain Aaron Judge would be sidelined for the remainder of the 2026 season due to a Grade 2 oblique strain. The injury, which occurred during a high-intensity batting practice session earlier in the week, has been described by medical staff as a significant setback that requires a minimum of six to eight weeks of rehabilitation. Despite initial optimism from the coaching staff that Judge might return for the final stretch of the regular season, imaging results confirmed that attempting to play through the discomfort would risk a more severe, long-term tear. Consequently, the organization has opted to prioritize his long-term health, ruling him out for the postseason. This development marks a disappointing conclusion to Judge’s campaign, as he was leading the team in home runs and RBIs at the time of the injury. The Yankees are now adjusting their lineup to compensate for his absence as they prepare for the upcoming playoff series without their primary slugger.