Aaron Judge has claimed three of the last four American League MVP titles. Although not performing at his peak this season, the New York Yankees standout remained a strong contender for the accolade by September’s end.

However, Judge’s entire 2026 season and future career might face uncertainty due to a possible injury. This issue could lead to a brief two-week absence or might permanently affect his career.

Judge experienced shoulder pain during swings in late May. Initial examinations by the Yankees failed to reveal a clear cause for his pain.

On Thursday, reports disclosed that the team consulted Dr. Gregory Pearl. His expertise includes complex vascular procedures and managing thoracic outlet syndrome in high-performance athletes, as per his website.

Thoracic outlet syndrome would be the most serious outcome for Judge and the Yankees. It could not only end his season but also impair him from playing at his optimal level again.

This syndrome impacts nerves between the neck and shoulder. Post-surgery, it may diminish an athlete’s strength and speed. Former New York Mets star Matt Harvey, once a dominant force in 2015, never returned to his former prowess after undergoing surgery for the same condition.

While position players generally have better recovery prospects than pitchers, a severe case of TOS could hinder Judge’s return to his MVP-winning form.

The Yankees eagerly await Judge’s injury diagnosis, hoping Dr. Pearl can rule out TOS. Meanwhile, fans in the Bronx anxiously wish for their captain’s swift and complete recovery.