What happened: Newsday's David Lennon writes that Aaron Judge's injury has hit the New York Yankees hard in the latest MLB power rankings. The piece frames the slugger's absence as the central factor weighing down the team's standing among league peers.

Why it matters: Judge is the engine of the Yankees' lineup, so a power-rankings slide tracks how much the club leans on him. This continues the storyline from Aaron Judge being sidelined as the Yankees face a critical trade deadline, with his health now shaping the team's outlook.

What to watch: Watch for an updated timetable on Judge's return and whether the Yankees address the gap before the trade deadline. Subsequent power rankings will signal how the team holds up in his absence.