Aaron Judge left off Yankees' roster for ALDS against Rays
Manager Aaron Boone chose not to activate the outfielder because of a right calf strain. Judge could return in the ALCS if New York advances.
Aaron Judge is not on the 26-man roster the Yankees submitted for the American League Division Series against the Rays. Manager Aaron Boone left him off because of the right calf strain he suffered on Sept. 16, according to MLB.com. Game 1 is today at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.
Boone said he decided after talking with Judge and with the club's director of sports medicine. His reason: that Judge arrive in better shape for a later round.
"I think the best decision was to keep him off."
The quote is Boone's and was reported by TSN, in a text by ESPN's Jorge Castillo. He told MLB.com it was "very close" for him. The medical update comes from the club itself through its manager: there is no written medical statement.
The injury is a moderate strain of the soleus, a calf muscle. Since then Judge has not taken the field, not even in the Wild Card Series that New York won over Boston. He received a platelet-poor plasma injection in late September, worked on an anti-gravity treadmill and progressed in his running. In recent days he had three live batting sessions, and on Friday he stepped into the box at Tropicana Field, according to ESPN. That day Boone had only said "we'll see."
The roster includes 11 pitchers and 15 position players. ESPN reports that Amed Rosario came off and left-hander Ryan Weathers came on, and that Giancarlo Stanton is listed as a pinch hitter. Without Judge, the Yankees are 54-43 this season, according to TSN.
Postseason rules allow rosters to be rebuilt between rounds, so Judge can be added to the American League Championship Series if New York advances. The question was left open by the Division Series preview. His return now depends on the team beating the Rays and on how the calf evolves.
