NEW YORK — It is abundantly obvious that Aaron Judge is eager to get back on the baseball diamond.
However, whether the New York Yankees will actually name their star player to the roster for the upcoming wild-card series remains far more uncertain.
The outfielder has been out of the lineup since September 16 because of a strain in his right calf. Prior to this setback, a cracked rib kept him sidelined for a full three months. Upon returning on September 8, he struggled through a 4-for-23 slump before damaging his calf and returning to the injured list. Consequently, his availability for New York’s upcoming best-of-three postseason series against the Boston Red Sox has become a major focal point of speculation throughout the region.
Under a gloomy, overcast sky on Monday, Judge joined his teammates for their standard pre-playoff practice session. The three-time MVP participated in several rounds of light batting practice. During these swings, he uncharacteristically sliced one foul into the stands, though he also crushed another delivery deep over the left-center field wall. To the casual observer, he appeared to be playing through physical limitations, but drawing any definitive conclusions from just 30 pitches thrown by a coach is highly speculative.
Roughly thirty minutes later, Judge faced live pitching from Elmer Rodríguez, a reserve pitcher currently moving between levels. A crowd of players and front-office staff gathered in the home dugout to observe. Hip-hop music played over the stadium’s sound system. Manager Aaron Boone leaned over the dugout railing in his customary position while reporters watched from the seating area behind home plate. A sense of excitement filled the stadium as the Yankees’ premier player prepared to take his swings.
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When the session began, Judge watched five consecutive pitches go by without a swing, earning a mock base on balls before heading back to the bench. He stepped back up shortly after to face left-handed pitcher Ryan Weathers. This plate appearance also resulted in a walk, though he did miss on a low-and-inside breaking pitch. In his third trip, he hit a sharp grounder that deflected off the glove of Rodríguez, and his final appearance of the day ended without him offering at any pitches.
Ultimately, very little was revealed. As Monday night approached, Judge’s availability remained up in the air, with no definitive answers expected until the official rosters are made public on Tuesday morning.
“I feel wonderful,” Judge remarked to the press prior to practice. “I’ve been putting in a lot of effort behind the scenes to accelerate my recovery. I’ve been taking swings for a few days and getting some movement back. I’m eager to get out on the diamond today and test things out.”
“He is showing improvement,” Boone noted earlier that afternoon. “We’re going to keep monitoring his condition.”
Even though it is highly improbable that Judge—who had not even run the bases by Monday morning—could handle right field duties on Tuesday, neither he nor his manager completely dismissed the idea. Given his physical limitations, however, it is hard to imagine him running hard in the outfield at Yankee Stadium. If he is utilized against Boston, it will most likely be as a designated hitter or a pinch-hitter.
Yet even that role presents some roster complications. With players like Ben Rice, Paul Goldschmidt, and Luis García Jr., New York already has a surplus of designated hitter and first base candidates. Furthermore, the possible return of Giancarlo Stanton, who has been sidelined with calf problems since April, complicates the situation even more. Stanton also participated in live batting practice on Monday, sending a characteristically hard-hit line drive directly to shortstop.
Given the physical condition of both sluggers and Stanton’s track record of playing through physical setbacks, Stanton appears to be the more practical choice off the bench right now. Keeping an injured Judge on the active roster instead of a versatile defensive asset like Amed Rosario could backfire if Judge is severely limited. Furthermore, there is a risk of aggravating the issue; a calf tear could potentially lead to an Achilles injury. Allowing the future Hall of Fame outfielder a few extra days of recovery while trusting his teammates to defeat the Red Sox might be New York’s smartest path toward having their star closer to 100 percent later in the postseason.
Naturally, Judge would object to such a cautious strategy. His attitude has been a blend of stubbornness and determination—admirable yet perhaps a bit reckless, walking a fine line between bravery and denial. It is hard to picture the Yankees in the playoffs without their captain, and he feels the same way. This is precisely why he has consistently maintained to the public that he will be ready to go for the wild-card series.
Ultimately, the decision lies with the organization, regardless of the player’s personal wishes. The star’s desire to push through the pain will only matter if Boone, general manager Brian Cashman, the training staff, and the rest of the front office agree with his assessment.
Judge’s eagerness is beyond question, but his physical capacity to perform is another matter altogether.
