Yankees' Judge to miss Opening Day with fractured rib

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge has a stress fracture in his rib, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.

The Yankees are going to rest Judge for two weeks but surgery is not off the table, Hoch added.

Manager Aaron Boone said the break is in the two-time All-Star's right rib and believes the injury occurred last season after he dove in a September game.

Judge acknowledged he felt "a crack and pop" in his chest after the play. The 27-year-old didn't miss any time during the regular season or playoffs, and he thought the injury healed by November when he resumed workouts.

The 2017 AL Rookie of the Year said doctors told him his healing is "in the middle part" of the process, and he's optimistic about avoiding surgery. However, he was also told that Opening Day is not a possibility.

"At least we have an answer so now we can start working on a solution, but overall I'm just mad," Judge said, according to Hoch. "I want to be out there with my team."

Judge only appeared in 102 games during the 2019 campaign due to multiple ailments. He has been sidelined all spring with what was a mysterious discomfort around his right shoulder and pectoral muscle.

New York's already poised to start the upcoming season without starting pitchers James Paxton (back) and Domingo German (suspension), and likely outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (calf). Right-hander Luis Severino (elbow) will miss all of 2020 due to Tommy John surgery.

The Yankees won 103 regular-season contests last year and made it to the ALCS despite being hit by waves of significant injuries.