With high-profile WBC injuries in the past like David Wright's back injury in 2013 and the Mets' closer Edwin Díaz’s leg injury in 2023, Judge obviously knows this comes with a risk to the entire Yankees organization. Yankees manager Aaron Boone admitted there is always concern when players compete outside the organization.

Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, the reigning AL MVP, has been named the captain of Team USA when he makes his World Baseball Classic debut in 2026.

Aaron Judge is Captain America. Team USA manager Mark DeRosa on Monday announced that Judge was named the captain for the Americans in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Shortly after the announcement on MLB Network, Judge was asked what it means to him to wear "USA" on his chest.