Yankees leave Aaron Judge off ALDS roster despite late push to return
New York ultimately determined that the slugger was not ready to return to game action
Aaron Judge's push to return for October has run out of time, at least for the start of the American League Division Series. The New York Yankees left Judge off their 26-man roster for their ALDS matchup with the Tampa Bay Rays, meaning their captain will miss a second straight postseason round while recovering from a right calf strain. New York submitted its roster Saturday morning, hours before Game 1 at Tropicana Field.
The decision comes after Judge spent the week trying to make a case that he could contribute. He faced live pitching Monday for the first time since suffering the injury, then continued his progression with running work and additional batting practice.
He took live BP again Wednesday, worked out at the Yankees' minor league complex in Tampa on Friday and took batting practice on the field at Tropicana Field later that day. But the Yankee s ultimately determined that Judge was not ready to return to game action.
The Yankees will try to do it again without their biggest star
Judge has not played since Sept. 16, when he strained the soleus muscle in his right calf in his seventh game back after missing more than three months with a fractured rib. He was placed on the injured list three days later and received a platelet-poor plasma injection as part of his recovery.
The 34-year-old slugger had already missed the Yankees ' wild-card series against the Boston Red Sox. New York considered carrying him for that round, but decided against it before sweeping Boston 2-0 and advancing to face Tampa Bay. Now the Yankees will try to do it again without their biggest star.
The Yankees had a decision to make Judge's progress created some optimism that he could potentially return during the ALDS. He had resumed facing live pitching and participated in workouts throughout the week. Manager Aaron Boone acknowledged Friday that the artificial turf at Tropicana Field would factor into the Yankees' thinking, particularly given the demands of playing right field on a recovering calf.
The Yankees were weighing not only whether Judge could play immediately, but whether he could potentially become available at some point during the best-of-five series. That distinction ultimately wasn't enough.
Giancarlo Stanton made the ALDS roster
Judge had not reached the point where New York was comfortable putting him into a playoff game, leaving the Yankees to proceed without him once again. It is a significant absence for a team preparing for a tougher test after its wild-card sweep.
Judge played only 66 games during the regular season after the fractured rib and calf injury limited him, hitting .241 with 18 home runs, 41 RBIs and an .871 OPS, according to the Associated Press. While Judge is out, the Yankees will again carry another injured slugger.
Giancarlo Stanton made the ALDS roster after serving as a pinch-hitting option during the wild-card series. He did not receive an at-bat against Boston , but New York is keeping the door open for his bat against Tampa Bay.
Stanton has not played in a major league game since April because of multiple calf injuries. Still, he told reporters Friday, "I'm ready to go," and said he was prepared to help the Yankees however he could.
The Yankees will carry 11 pitchers and 15 position players against Tampa Bay
The Yankees have apparently decided that the possibility of one important postseason at-bat is worth keeping him active. Stanton's power makes that possibility particularly intriguing. New York does not need him to play every day; it needs him to be available if a late-inning situation calls for a swing that can change a game. The Yankees used a similar approach with him against Boston.
The other notable roster move is on the mound. Left-hander Ryan Weathers was added to the ALDS roster, replacing utilityman Amed Rosario. The Yankees will carry 11 pitchers and 15 position players against Tampa Bay.
Weathers has not pitched since Aug. 22, when he left a start with a left forearm flexor strain. He has since progressed through live batting practice and additional throwing sessions and is expected to be used in a limited relief role. His availability comes with restrictions, including not being cleared to pitch on consecutive days. The schedule gives New York some flexibility, however, with off-days following Games 1 and 2.
