Yankees Captain Aaron Judge Placed on IL with Flexor Strain

Aaron Judge has been placed on the injured list due to a flexor strain in his right elbow, with an MRI confirming no acute damage to his ulnar collateral ligament. The Yankees captain is expected to miss 10 days to two weeks and will initially return as a designated hitter before resuming outfield duties, prompting Giancarlo Stanton to prepare for outfield work. Judge, who leads MLB with a .342 batting average and 1.160 OPS, first felt discomfort in his elbow during a throw on Tuesday and the issue worsened on Friday. Top prospect Spencer Jones is unlikely to be called up as his replacement due to a combination of logistical factors, Jones's own recent back spasms, and ongoing developmental concerns regarding his high whiff rate.