The New York Yankees shared alarming news late Thursday night when they revealed that slugger and captain Aaron Judge is dealing with a stress fracture of the first rib on his right side.

While it was previously feared that Judge was suffering from thoracic outlet syndrome — which could have ended his season — the fact that he won't be reevaluated until "approximately four to six weeks" down the road is nevertheless concerning for the World Series hopefuls. 

For a piece published on Friday morning, Yankees insider Bob Klapisch of NJ Advance Media suggested that Judge could be sidelined through the bulk of the summer months. 

What is a "realistic" return timeline for Aaron Judge?

"It’ll be mid-to-late July before the captain is cleared to resume working out," Klapisch explained. "But an absence that long means Judge would need August as a second spring training. September is the most realistic target date."

Of course, no organization has a like-for-like Judge replacement in its system. When healthy and at his best, the three-time American League Most Valuable Player is arguably the most dangerous hitter in all of MLB. 

As The Athletic's Chris Kirschner noted, the 2023 Yankees never fully recovered after Judge suffered a torn ligament in his big right toe in June of that year. New York went from 35-25 to 54-48 without having Judge in the lineup, and the Bronx Bombers ultimately missed the playoffs that season. 

Aaron Judge gives the Yankees more than just production

SNY's Phillip Martinez mentioned that Jasson Dominguez is expected to start his rehab assignment on Friday coming off the shoulder injury he suffered on May 7. Additionally, promising prospect Spencer Jones could receive another opportunity to impress in the big leagues. 

As infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. said, however, Judge is one of one as it pertains to all that he offers the Yankees. 

"Everyone looks up to him," Chisholm said about Judge during a recent chat with Klapisch. "He’s the perfect captain. He has so much respect." 

Fans will get a first look at how members of the Yankees respond to the Judge-related news when 37-25 New York opens a three-game home series versus the rival Boston Red Sox (26-35) on Friday night.