The New York Yankees just rolled through the Boston Red Sox in their Wild Card Series, sweeping them 18-2 over two games. Pretty sweet, right? The only problem: they did it all without their biggest name and three-time AL MVP, Aaron Judge, and now they’re staring down a brutal ALDS roster decision against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Judge’s Calf Strain Has The Yankees Sweating
The big man, Aaron Judge, has been sidelined on the injured list since September 16 with a nasty calf strain. He missed that whole Red Sox sweep, which, let’s be real, was a huge question mark for the Yanks even if they made it look easy. Manager Aaron Boone was tight-lipped about Judge’s status for the ALDS, saying Friday that they’d “make those calls probably later tonight” after Judge worked out. He hit live yesterday at Yankee Stadium and was doing more live work today. Boone admits Judge has been “making progress” and doing some running, but his availability is still totally up in the air. The trainers are gonna have the final say as the day goes on. Judge, who’s 34, has been battling injuries all season. He missed most of 2026 with a bone bruise in his right ribcage that also messed with his right shoulder. He came back in early September for only seven games before that new lower leg injury popped up, which they later called the right calf strain. In those seven games without any minor-league rehab, he only hit .174 (4 for 23) and struck out 13 times. Not exactly prime Judge, even if his season stats show 18 homers and 41 RBI with a .241 average.
The ALDS Roster Call Is A High-Stakes Bet
This isn’t just about whether Judge feels good. The Yankees have to submit their official ALDS roster before Game 1 starts, and it’s a huge gamble either way. If they leave Judge off, he can’t rejoin the club before the ALCS, even if they make it there, unless someone else gets injured. And if someone does get hurt and Judge replaces them, that replacement player is then banned from the next round! It’s a lose-lose.
But then, if they *do* roster him, and he gets hurt again during the series, they can’t remove him and still use him for the ALCS. They’d basically be carrying a player they can’t use and burning his ALCS availability. What a nightmare! It also shakes up the lineup big time. If Judge comes back but has to be the designated hitter, that could push Luis García Jr. to the bench with Ben Rice moving to first base. García has been a total beast since the Yankees traded for him, and he went 3 for 5 with a home run in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series. His bat is red-hot.
The ALDS kicks off Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ET at Tropicana Field against the Rays. Every Yanks fan will be glued to their phones later tonight, waiting to see what decision Boone and the front office make. This call could define their entire October run.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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