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Aaron Judge's Rib Injury Opens Door for New AL MVP Contender

2026-07-15 · Aaron Judge · Club News

Aaron Judge's Rib Injury Opens Door for New AL MVP Contender

Aaron Judge's rib injury has reshaped the 2026 American League MVP odds, with Yordan Alvarez emerging as the favorite. Judge's absence opens the door for a new candidate to earn hardware in the American League.

What happened?

Aaron Judge, the five-time Silver Slugger, has been sidelined since May 31 due to a rib injury. This has given Yordan Alvarez, the Astros slugger, an opportunity to take the lead in the AL MVP odds.

Why it matters for Aaron Judge

Judge's injury has significant implications for his chances of winning the AL MVP award. With his absence, Alvarez has become the favorite to take home the hardware. Judge's injury has reshaped the 2026 American League MVP odds, with Alvarez emerging as the new favorite.

What comes next?

The 2026 MLB season is expected to be a closely contested race, with several players vying for the AL MVP award. Alvarez's emergence as the favorite has made him a strong contender, but Judge's return to the field could still impact the outcome of the award.

Alvarez has been tormenting pitchers this season with an AL-leading 29 home runs and 67 RBIs. However, Alvarez's role as a DH could impact his standing with the MVP voters. Ohtani is the only full-time DH in MLB history to win an MVP.

At +500 odds with FanDuel, Witt Jr. is an excellent value play. The Royals' shortstop is tied for the highest WAR in the AL, and Witt Jr. ranks among the best defensive players in MLB. Nick Kurtz is another player to watch after winning AL Rookie of the Year and finishing 12th in MVP voting in 2025.

Unlike the MLB AL MVP odds race, one player is smoking the competition in the NL. Ohtani's contributions at the dish and on the mound make him nearly impossible to beat if he remains healthy. The Dodgers superstar is such a heavy favorite that DraftKings released an MLB NL MVP odds market pitting Ohtani against the field.

Ohtani's dual-threat abilities are unlike anything we've seen since Babe Ruth. Shohei leads the Dodgers with 20 home runs while pitching to a 1.79 ERA, 95 strikeouts

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