Judge, Schmidt Eyed for 2027 Spring Training
The Yankees expect both Aaron Judge and Clarke Schmidt to be ready when spring training opens in 2027, after injuries sidelined them during the 2026 postseason.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Baseball
Aaron Judge and Clarke Schmidt were kept out of the 2026 postseason by injuries, and the Yankees' injury report now lists Judge's expected return as 2027. Judge is recovering from a fractured first right rib and a moderate soleus strain in his right calf, while Schmidt was shut down from throwing on September 24 due to right biceps neuritis.
Why it matters
The timeline pushes both players' availability into the 2027 season, affecting the Yankees' planning for their pitching staff and lineup as they look ahead. Judge's rib injury follows a fracture early in the 2026 season, making his recovery a key factor for the team's offseason outlook.
The Yankees injury report lists Aaron Judge's expected return as 2027, with Judge having fractured his first right rib early in the 2026 season and carrying a moderate-grade soleus strain in his right calf. Clarke Schmidt was shut down from throwing as of September 24, 2026, after feeling discomfort warming up in Arizona on September 20.
The players
Aaron Judge
Aaron Judge is an outfielder for the New York Yankees and one of the most prominent power hitters in Major League Baseball.
Clarke Schmidt
Clarke Schmidt is a New York Yankees pitcher who was sidelined by right biceps neuritis during the 2026 postseason.
Dr. Gregory Pearl
Dr. Gregory Pearl is the physician scheduled to evaluate the healing of Aaron Judge's first right rib.
The details
Aaron Judge is scheduled for a follow-up visit with Dr. Gregory Pearl to evaluate healing of his first right rib, which he fractured early in the 2026 season. Clarke Schmidt was inactive for the 2026 postseason with right biceps neuritis, and Fernando Cruz and Kervin Castro were moved to the 60-day injured list in late August and September.
Timeline
Aug. 26, 2026: Fernando Cruz was placed on the 60-day injured list and Kervin Castro was transferred to the list.
Sept. 20, 2026: Clarke Schmidt felt discomfort while warming up in Arizona.
Sept. 24, 2026: Clarke Schmidt was shut down from throwing.
Nov. 6, 2026: The Yankees injury report updated the statuses of Aaron Judge and Clarke Schmidt.
Season Trajectory
The Yankees' injury report now projects 2027 returns for Judge and Schmidt, extending the 2026 season's injury burden into the next campaign. Judge and Schmidt's absences from the postseason shape the team's offseason planning as it prepares for spring training.
Judge's expected 2027 return means he will not be available for the remainder of the current season, which affects planning for lineup and roster decisions. Schmidt's shutdown from throwing means Yankees fans and fantasy managers should not expect his availability until spring training begins.
The takeaway
Both players' recoveries point toward a return at the start of 2027, making spring training the key checkpoint for their health. Monitoring official team injury updates will reveal whether those timelines hold.
What happens next
Judge's follow-up visit with Dr. Gregory Pearl is scheduled to evaluate the healing of his first right rib, and Yankees spring training in 2027 is the expected point of return for both Judge and Schmidt.
Further reading
For more on the team's roster and season outlook, see Baseball coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fingerlakes1.
