What happened: Columnist Joel Sherman noted that over the past decade the Yankees have won regular-season games at a strong rate when Aaron Judge starts, and at a notably lower rate when he sits. He framed the length of Judge's current absence as the vital question facing the club. The point reframes an injury update as a season-shaping variable rather than a routine day-to-day note.

Why it matters: Judge is out of the lineup with a bone bruise near his right shoulder, and the team's historical dependence on his presence gives the timeline outsized weight. If the absence stretches, the Yankees' run production and standing could feel the drag well beyond a handful of games.

What to watch: Watch for an updated medical timetable on Judge's shoulder and how the Yankees' lineup holds up offensively while he is sidelined.