NEW YORK – The New York Yankees’ precarious season took a significant downturn Monday, as the team officially placed captain Aaron Judge on the 10-day Injured List with right elbow inflammation. The move, retroactive to Sunday, comes after the slugger underwent an MRI that confirmed the injury, sidelining him at a critical juncture as the team fights to remain in the American League playoff picture.

The alarm was first raised on Saturday when Judge was unexpectedly scratched from the lineup ahead of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Manager Aaron Boone confirmed at the time that Judge was sent for imaging due to discomfort in his throwing elbow.

Speaking to reporters at Yankee Stadium before Monday's series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays, Boone provided an update. "The MRI showed inflammation but thankfully no structural damage to the ligament," Boone stated. "We're going to be cautious. The hope is that with rest and treatment, he can be back after the 10 days are up, but we won't rush him. His long-term health is the priority."

The timing of the injury could not be worse for the Yankees. Once leading the AL East, the team has been in a dramatic slide for nearly two months, posting a sub-.500 record since the beginning of June. They now find themselves in third place in their division, trailing the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays, and are clinging to the final AL Wild Card spot by a narrow margin.

Losing their most potent offensive weapon and clubhouse leader deals a severe blow to their chances of reversing this trend. Judge, the 2022 AL MVP, leads the team in home runs (28), RBIs (75), and on-base plus slugging (.915). His absence leaves a gaping hole in the middle of a lineup that has struggled with consistency all season.

"It's a tough pill to swallow," said teammate and fellow outfielder Juan Soto. "You can't replace a guy like Aaron. It means the rest of us have to step up, play harder, and find ways to win games. We know what's at stake."

The Yankees have recalled outfielder Everson Pereira from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take Judge's spot on the active roster. While prospects like Pereira and Jasson Domínguez may see more playing time, the burden will fall heavily on veterans like Soto and Giancarlo Stanton to carry the offensive load.

The team's upcoming schedule offers no relief. Following their series with the division-rival Blue Jays, the Yankees face a difficult West Coast road trip that includes games against the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros, both of whom are also in the thick of the playoff hunt.

For a team already under immense pressure, the loss of their captain presents the biggest challenge yet. How the Yankees respond over the next two weeks without Aaron Judge will likely determine whether their season extends into October or ends in disappointment.