Judge avoids surgery, Rodón down: Yankees prepare for 2026

Aaron Judge Avoids Surgery, Rodón Undergoes Operation, and Stanton Recovers

The New York Yankees’ star outfielder, Aaron Judge, will not need surgery on his elbow, encouraging news for fans. However, left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodón underwent surgery this week and is expected to miss Opening Day. Judge suffered an injury to the flexor tendon in his right elbow in July, which limited his ability to throw. Yankees manager Aaron Boone reported that an MRI performed after the team’s elimination last week revealed that “surgery is not needed.”

He will take some time off and continue doing strengthening and rehabilitation exercises.

Aaron Boone, Yankees Manager

Judge, who led the league in batting average (.331), OPS (1.144), and WAR (9.7), finished the season with 53 home runs and 114 RBIs. In the postseason, he batted .500 with a home run, 7 RBIs, and 4 walks. Boone expects Judge to be New York’s starting right fielder in 2026 and downplayed the idea of the two-time American League Most Valuable Player playing first base. Judge’s injury occurred while making a throw in Toronto on July 22. The seven-time All-Star returned on August 5 after a 10-day stint on the injured list and threw with caution in his return to the outfield on September 5. He managed to strengthen his arm and made a 90.2 mph throw from right field in the first game of the American League Division Series. Rodón underwent surgery by Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Wednesday to remove loose bodies in his left elbow and scrape a bone spur. He will have eight weeks without throwing, and his season start is expected to be delayed a couple of weeks, according to Boone. Rodón, who will turn 33 in December, had an 18-9 record with a 3.09 ERA. Boone also reported that designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton will not need surgery on his elbows.

He’s in a pretty good spot. He’ll treat it and everything, but nothing is expected for Big G.

Aaron Boone, Yankees Manager

Gerrit Cole, who is returning from Tommy John surgery in March, will throw gently from a mound next week and could be available shortly after Opening Day. New York, with a record of 27 World Series titles, hasn’t won any since 2009. After defeating the Red Sox in the American League Wild Card Series, the Yankees lost a four-game American League Division Series to the Blue Jays.

It’s about playing at the highest level at the most important moment, and you have to maintain that and do it throughout the month of October.

Aaron Boone, Yankees Manager

After losing to the Dodgers in the 2024 World Series, New York started the season with a 35-20 record, then had a bad run of 25-34 due to the difficulties of its bullpen, and then closed with 34-14 and lost the American League East Division to Toronto in a tiebreaker. Boone’s contract extends until 2027.

He is one of the best managers. Because of our environment, he is someone who can be questioned 10 million times.

Brian Cashman, General Manager of the Yankees

Cashman added that third base coach Luis Rojas was granted permission to interview for the Baltimore manager position and that hitting coach James Rowson was allowed to interview for the Minnesota manager position. Among the potential free agents, Cashman said the Yankees would like to retain Cody Bellinger. Bullpen coach Mike Harkey and first base/infield coach Travis Chapman will not return for 2026. Assistant hitting coach Pat Roessler will not be in that position, and minor league hitting coordinator Jake Hirst will take over that job.