Yankees' Aaron Judge reveals how he broke his ribs to land on Injured List

May 30, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) during batting practice before the start of the game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images

Since the news that Aaron Judge was injured, the New York Yankees' fanbase has been trying to figure out what happened.

There wasn't one clear moment where the 6-foot-7 superstar exited a game after a play, so nothing was a dead giveaway.

Instead, fans were combing through various bits of footage to see what might have caused Judge's injury.

A clip was circulating of a play against the wall about a month ago, but it turns out that wasn't the problem.

Judge told reporters on Friday that he thinks it actually happened on a diving play in the outfield in late April against the Astros.

This appears to be the play when Aaron Judge sustained his rib fracture. April 26 at Houston. Paul Blackburn on the mound. pic.twitter.com/DtAhZD5XFg

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This was definitely an awkward landing for Judge.

He was asked why he kept playing since then and had this to say:

Judge also told reporters he didn't want to talk about a timetable for a return because, as he put it, "That stuff's all made up."

Yankees fans will have to just wait and see when Judge might make it back.

It won't make the Yanks feel much better to know what happened with Judge, but at least now they can trace it to an obvious point. It's also notable for the Yankees to have seen the example Judge set by playing through pain.

That won't help them win games while Judge is out, but it's clear the captain wanted to do what he could to help, and in the end, it became just a bit too much to keep playing through.

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