Yankees' Aaron Judge to Have Rib Reimaged During All-Star Break ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Aaron Judge, the three-time American League Most Valuable Player and star outfielder for the New York Yankees, will undergo imaging tests for his injured right rib during the All-Star break. The Yankees have expressed cautious optimism that the results will provide clarity on his recovery progress, though they remain committed to ensuring he is fully healed before returning to play. Judge, who has not participated in any games since May 31, was placed on the injured list on June 5 after being diagnosed with a stress fracture of his right rib. The injury was confirmed through a combination of a CT scan, MRI, and consultation with a specialist. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman emphasized the team’s priority of avoiding any risk of further harm, stating, “We don’t want to put him at risk of coming back while still injured.” Cashman outlined the criteria for Judge’s potential return, noting that he must be “asymptomatic” and show visible healing on medical imaging before resuming activity. The Yankees’ decision to hold Judge out of the lineup has had a noticeable impact on their performance. Without Judge, the team has posted a 15-19 record, including a 12-4 victory over the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday. Cashman acknowledged the challenge of managing the roster without their star player, highlighting the difficulty Judge faces in maintaining his physical conditioning due to the rib injury. “The injury has restricted his ability to work out his upper body because he can’t put stress on his rib cage,” Cashman explained. The imaging tests during the All-Star break are expected to offer a more accurate assessment of his rehabilitation status. The Yankees’ injury concerns extend beyond Judge.#new_york_yankees #aaron_judge #all_star_break #st_petersburg #brian_cashman
Padres Place Lucas Giolito on Injured List with Elbow Inflammation The San Diego Padres placed right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito on the 15-day injured list on June 22 with right elbow inflammation, recalling left-handed reliever JP Sears to fill his roster spot. The decision comes amid concerns about Giolito’s recent performance and lingering questions about his health. The Padres did not specify the severity of the injury or Giolito’s expected timeline for return, but his history of elbow issues raises alarms. Giolito missed the entire 2024 season recovering from internal brace surgery and returned to the Red Sox in 2025, where he posted a 3.41 ERA over 145 innings. However, his season was marked by subpar strikeout rates, a reliance on luck, and struggles with baserunning. Giolito’s performance with the Padres has been even more troubling. After being signed in late April, he was optioned to the minors to build up his workload. He made seven appearances for the Padres in May and June, posting a 5.16 ERA. His strikeout rate plummeted to 13% of batters faced, far below his previous career averages, while his walk rate surged to 16.7%. His velocity has also dropped significantly, with his four-seamer averaging 90.8 mph this season—down from 93.3 mph in 2025. His other pitches have also lost velocity, with drops of two to three miles per hour. The Padres’ rotation has struggled this season, with a collective 4.54 ERA ranking near the bottom of the majors. While Michael King and Walker Buehler have shown promise, Griffin Canning’s 6.64 ERA and Randy Vásquez’s recent 5.10 ERA over 12 outings have further complicated matters. Giolito’s absence adds pressure to an already fragile rotation.#san_diego_padres #all_star_break #aj_preller #lucas_giolito #jp_sears
Yankees Predicted to Replace Ryan McMahon with 20-Year-Old Top Prospect Before All-Star Break The New York Yankees are expected to make a significant roster move before the All-Star break, with reports suggesting they will call up their top infield prospect, George Lombard Jr., to replace Ryan McMahon at third base. This decision, predicted by Jim Bowden of The Athletic, would mark a bold shift in the team’s strategy as they aim to bolster their lineup for the second half of the season. McMahon, a trade-deadline acquisition last year, has struggled to establish himself as a consistent performer at the major league level. His struggles at third base have raised questions about his long-term role with the Yankees, prompting management to consider younger, more dynamic options. Lombard, a 20-year-old infielder, is seen as the ideal candidate to step into McMahon’s role, given his potential and recent performance in the minors. Lombard’s journey to the majors has been steady, with his minor league numbers showing promise. Last season, he posted a .235 batting average and a .748 OPS, while also demonstrating his speed as a base-stealer, tallying 39 steals in 2024 and 35 in 2025. His spring training performance, though not ideal—highlighted by a .179 batting average and a .717 OPS—has not deterred analysts from projecting him as a key contributor. Bowden’s prediction hinges on Lombard’s ability to translate his minor league success into a strong start in the majors. If he does, the Yankees could see a significant upgrade at third base, particularly as McMahon’s struggles continue. However, this move would come at a cost, as McMahon’s underperformance would represent a setback for a player the Yankees acquired in a trade last season.#yankees #all_star_break #ryan_mcmahon #george_lombard_jr #jim_bowden
Lakers News: JJ Redick Remains Confident In Jake LaRavia Jake LaRavia has struggled to find his rhythm for the Los Angeles Lakers despite the team’s recent four-game winning streak. His three-point shooting has been particularly inconsistent, with LaRavia shooting 1-for-14 from beyond the arc in March. While he isn’t known as a high-volume shooter, his ability to knock down mid-range and catch-and-shoot opportunities has been a key part of his game. His career three-point shooting percentage stands at 35.1%, but his performance with the Lakers has dipped to 31.6% this season. Despite these challenges, LaRavia has remained focused on his role and the trust placed in him by the coaching staff. Head coach JJ Redick has consistently emphasized confidence in the 24-year-old’s ability to work through slumps. Redick highlighted LaRavia’s contributions in recent games, noting his reliability in specific areas of the offense. “He’s been exemplary in his role since coming back from the All-Star break,” Redick said. “The things we’re asking him to do, he’s done at a really high level.” Redick acknowledged a recent dip in LaRavia’s performance, referencing a stretch where the forward struggled in two consecutive games. However, he pointed to LaRavia’s ability to bounce back, calling it a testament to his character. “He played terrible in both games on both ends,” Redick said, “but he’s responded like he always does. He’s been great with his physicality, rebounding, crashing the glass, and disruption on defense. His on-ball defense has been getting better as the season has progressed.” While LaRavia’s offensive struggles have been a concern, Redick stressed that there are multiple ways to contribute to the team’s success.#los_angeles_lakers #jj_redick #all_star_break #jake_laravia #luk_kennard
Rockets' Amen Thompson Shines in Stat-Heavy Performance Despite Blowout Loss Amen Thompson delivered a standout performance in the Houston Rockets' 145-120 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, tallying 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and one steal across 36 minutes of action. His contributions helped him co-lead the Rockets in scoring alongside Kevin Durant, showcasing his ability to impact the game beyond just points. Thompson’s stat line included an efficient 8-15 shooting from the field, though he went 0-1 from beyond the arc, and finished with a perfect 7-8 free throw attempt. Thompson’s performance highlighted his versatility as a playmaker and rebounder, with his 17.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 2.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game since the All-Star break demonstrating his value to the team. Despite not being known for his scoring prowess, he has consistently reached the 20-point mark in four of his last five games and contributed double-digit numbers in five of his nine appearances since the break. His ability to accumulate stats across multiple categories has made him a key asset for fantasy basketball leagues. The Rockets’ loss to the Spurs underscored the challenges of competing in a high-scoring game, as the Spurs’ dominant performance left Houston trailing by a significant margin. Thompson’s efforts, however, provided a glimmer of hope for the team, as his all-around play reflected his growing role in the rotation. His 23-point output and six assists highlighted his ability to carry the load when key players are rested or underperforming. Thompson’s performance also aligns with his recent trend of contributing consistently to the team’s efforts.#san_antonio_spurs #houston_rockets #fantasy_basketball #amen_thompson #all_star_break
