What happened: Yankees manager Aaron Boone described Aaron Judge as the "best hitter in the sport" and said his absence leaves a void, while adding that the roster has players capable of picking up production. The comments came as the Yankees continued sorting through Judge's rib and shoulder injury.

Why it matters: Judge's absence changes the shape of the Yankees' lineup in the middle of the regular season, especially if the best-case timeline stretches into August. Boone's framing signals both the scale of the loss and the club's need for internal answers while its top hitter rests.

What to watch: Watch for the Yankees' next roster move and whether Judge is placed on the injured list. The next imaging window will shape whether an August return remains realistic.