Aaron Judge's availability for the start of the American League Division Series remained a question mark heading into Saturday, with the Yankees still undecided on whether their three-time MVP will be on the roster against the Tampa Bay Rays. Judge has not played since suffering a right calf strain on Sept. 16, and manager Aaron Boone offered no clarity when asked directly about his status.
“We'll see,” Boone said, according to CBS Sports, when pressed on whether the Yankees had made a decision. The team must submit its Game 1 roster by Saturday morning, just hours before first pitch at Tropicana Field at 6:30 p.m. ET. New York has named Gerrit Cole, who posted a 3.61 ERA over 22 starts this season, as its Game 1 starter, according to The Athletic.
A Slow, Deliberate Return
Judge has been easing back into baseball activity over the past several days. He faced live pitching at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, part of three live at-bat sessions during the week, then worked out at the Yankees' minor league complex in Tampa on Friday morning before joining the team's afternoon workout at Tropicana Field, per details reported by ABC7 Eyewitness News. He has also begun running, Boone said, though the manager acknowledged he was unsure whether Judge had actually run the bases.
As of Wednesday, Judge had not yet run the bases or worked out in right field since the injury, though he had taken live batting practice, the station's report noted. Running the bases, per Boone, is not considered a prerequisite for Judge making the roster — a distinction that leaves the door open even if that specific test hasn't been checked off. Boone said trainers will play a major role in the final evaluation.
The Turf Factor
Complicating the decision is the surface at Tropicana Field itself. The ballpark's turf will factor into the Yankees' roster call, and SI.com describes the field as having “a reputation for causing lower-body soft-tissue injuries” — a notable concern for a player returning from a calf strain. At 6-foot-7 and 280 pounds, Judge carries more size than most outfielders asked to test a recovering leg on artificial turf.
Boone indicated Judge could still land on the roster even if he isn't ready to patrol right field right away, saying the slugger could be limited early in the series. The Yankees are weighing whether Judge can become available at some point as the series progresses, and Boone suggested he could be used strictly as a pinch-hitter in the first two games if not cleared for the outfield. Judge's own preference is clear: he insists returning to right field is his goal, and he could realistically get that chance if the series shifts to New York for Game 3.
Lineup Already Adjusted Without Him
New York has managed without Judge before. The Yankees swept the Boston Red Sox in a two-game Wild Card Series, outscoring their rivals 18-2 at Yankee Stadium, all without their star right fielder. In his place, Ben Rice has served as the designated hitter, while Paul Goldschmidt has platooned at first base with Luis Garcia. SI.com projects the Yankees will carry 11 pitchers and 15 position players for the ALDS, an increase from the 10 pitchers they used during the Wild Card round.
The Athletic's own roster projection left Judge off entirely, listing a five-man outfield group of Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham, Spencer Jones, Heliot Ramos and Giancarlo Stanton. Judge appeared in just 66 games during the regular season, hitting .241/.360/.511 with 18 home runs and 41 RBI before the calf injury ended his year prematurely.
A Tough Opponent Awaits
Whatever the Yankees decide, they'll face a formidable Rays team that posted the best record in the American League at 98-64 and won the regular-season series over New York, 7-6. Tampa Bay's 55-26 home record was tied for the best mark in the majors, according to The Athletic. One bright spot for the Yankees: Ben Rice has mashed Rays pitching this season, going 16-for-45 for a .356 average with seven home runs, three doubles and 12 RBIs, per the same outlet's reporting.
