Yankees captain Aaron Judge has been left off the American League Wild Card Series roster for the opening-round clash against the Red Sox as he continues recovering from a right calf strain, though veteran slugger Giancarlo Stanton returns to the lineup.
Aaron Judge Falls Short of Wild Card Roster Despite Intensive Push
Despite a rigorous late-week push that included indoor hitting, throwing, and four plate appearances in live batting practice, Aaron Judge was omitted from the 26-man roster submitted to the league office. The club erred on the side of caution rather than risk further damage to the back-to-back American League MVP, who has been sidelined since suffering a moderate soleus strain in his right calf on Sept. 16 at Target Field.
The decision brings an abrupt halt to the captain’s late-inning lobbying campaign, during which he took live batting practice at Yankee Stadium and worked two walks, struck out looking, and grounded back to the mound. Yankees manager Aaron Boone had maintained that the club was preparing as if Judge would not be available for the best-of-three series against Boston, which begins at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
“I’ve been doing a lot of convincing, I feel like, so I’m going to keep doing that. We’re all going to be smart, but I think they all know I want to be out there, especially in the first game.”
Aaron Judge, via New York Daily News
Rehabilitation Timeline and the Platelet-Poor Plasma Injection
The injury occurred just seven games after Judge returned from an 84-game absence caused by a fractured right rib. To accelerate his recovery from the subsequent calf issue, Judge received a platelet-poor plasma injection on Sept. 21. While moderate soleus strains typically require three to six weeks of rest, Judge attempted an aggressive rehab protocol that included work on an anti-gravity treadmill.
However, the running progression remained incomplete before the roster deadline. Judge had not attempted running outdoors, let alone cutting on the basepaths, and did not run on the field during the team’s final workout. When discussing the medical characterization of his injury, Judge bristled at the term used by his manager.
“Everybody’s moderate is a little different. Your moderate is a little different than my moderate, so on and so on. So, I don’t know why he used those words. But, like I said, I’m trying to get back as soon as I can.”
Aaron Judge, via ESPN
Giancarlo Stanton and Trent Grisham Return to Boost Depth
Designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton has made the Wild Card roster after missing five months due to three separate calf strains.
Stanton’s right-handed power provides a crucial countermeasure against a heavily left-handed Boston pitching rotation that features Payton Tolle for Game 1 and potentially Ranger Suárez for Game 3. Outfielder Trent Grisham also returns after straining his hamstring in the first week of September, adding a left-handed option off the bench and a defensive presence in center field.
Lineup Adjustments and the Road Ahead in the Bronx
In Judge’s absence, the Yankees will rely on Cody Bellinger, Heliot Ramos, and Spencer Jones to cover the outfield, with Ben Rice handling designated hitter duties. Ramos finished the regular season strong against left-handed pitching, posting a .907 OPS that makes him an important asset against Boston’s starters.
The Yankees finished the regular season with a 41-25 record when Judge was in the starting lineup, compared to 52-43 without him. If New York can advance past the Red Sox in the best-of-three series, Judge will target a return to active duty when the club meets the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Division Series.
