Aaron Judge isn’t changing his approach to the Yankees’ postseason despite manager Aaron Boone’s cautious assessment of his calf injury. Boone said New York is preparing for the Wild Card Series without its captain, while leaving the door open for a faster recovery. Judge has made it clear that his own target remains Game 1 at Yankee Stadium.
The difference in their messages has drawn attention as the Yankees enter the final weekend of the regular season. Judge also questioned Boone’s description of the injury as moderate. The Yankees are balancing medical caution with Judge’s determination to return.
Judge remains focused on the Wild Card Series
Judge reiterated Wednesday that his goal is to be ready for Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series, which begins Tuesday at Yankee Stadium. His position has remained consistent since he returned to the injured list, even as the Yankees have prepared for the possibility that he won’t be available.
“The Bronx is a magical place in October,” Judge said, explaining why he doesn’t want to miss the opportunity. He has also said the organization is doing everything possible to speed up the recovery process.
Judge’s confidence doesn’t mean the Yankees have cleared him to play. He remains on the 10-day injured list after suffering the right calf strain during a Sept. 16 game against the Minnesota Twins, and his earliest possible activation date is Sept. 27.
Boone’s assessment created the disagreement
Boone said Tuesday that Judge had a “moderate grade” right calf strain and that the Yankees were planning on him not being part of the Wild Card Series. Boone also stressed that he wasn’t completely ruling out Judge because the club could push the recovery process if the outfielder became medically ready.
Judge subsequently questioned the wording. “Everybody’s ‘moderate’ is a little different,” he said, adding that he didn’t know why Boone had used those words to describe his injury.
The disagreement has centered on terminology and expectations rather than a public split between the two. Judge described Boone as “my guy” and said he has always had his manager’s back, while Boone has continued to leave open the possibility that Judge could return if his recovery progresses quickly enough.
The calf injury comes after a long absence
The timing is particularly significant because Judge had only recently returned from a much longer absence. He missed most of the summer after suffering a stress fracture in his right rib and was activated on Sept. 8 without a Minor League rehab assignment.
Judge appeared in only 7 games after returning from the rib injury before the calf problem sent him back to the injured list. He went 4-for-23 with 1 home run during that stretch, leaving him with a .241/.360/.511 slash line, 18 home runs, and 41 RBIs in 66 games for the season.
The latest calf injury is different because Judge said the strain involves the soleus muscle, which he described as particularly important for running and hitting. He also said he has dealt with calf strains before, but found this one more difficult because of its location.
Fun fact: Aaron Judge was a 3-sport star at Linden High School, playing baseball, basketball, and football.
What the Yankees are preparing for now
Judge received a platelet-poor plasma injection in his right calf during Monday’s off-day and was expected to have limited activity for several days. Boone said the process had started and that the training staff was working to get Judge back on the field as quickly as possible.
MLB’s reporting also noted that a Grade 2 calf strain generally takes 3 to 6 weeks to recover from. Judge has not been given a public timetable that guarantees his availability for the Wild Card Series, making the final days of the regular season especially important to his status.
The Yankees have nevertheless kept the door open. Boone said he isn’t ruling Judge out, while Judge has repeatedly said his goal is to return as soon as possible and that he intends to play right field when he is cleared, because he believes that gives New York its best lineup.
Judge’s return would change the Yankees’ postseason lineup
Judge’s availability carries additional weight because New York has already spent much of the season without him. The Yankees clinched a postseason berth before his latest injury, but they have had to navigate long stretches without their captain and three-time American League MVP.
The Yankees have also continued to deal with roster questions beyond Judge. Jazz Chisholm Jr. was activated from the 10-day injured list on Sept. 22, while Trent Grisham has remained a possible postseason option as he works back from a hamstring injury.
New York’s postseason position means the Wild Card Series will begin at Yankee Stadium, with the club set to face Boston. Judge’s potential absence, therefore, isn’t simply a question of when he returns from the injured list; it directly affects the lineup the Yankees could use in their opening postseason series.
For now, the two sides are describing the situation from different perspectives. Boone is preparing the Yankees as though Judge won’t be available, while Judge continues to work toward being on the field when the Wild Card Series begins, leaving his actual status dependent on how his calf responds over the final days of September.
TL;DR
- Aaron Judge remains determined to return for Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series.
- Aaron Boone said the Yankees are preparing as though Judge won’t be available but has not ruled out a return.
- Judge questioned Boone’s description of his right calf strain as “moderate.”
- Judge received a platelet-poor plasma injection and has been working through a limited activity program.
- Judge’s earliest possible activation date is Sept. 27, ahead of the Wild Card Series opener on Sept. 29.
- Judge wants to return as a right fielder and believes that gives the Yankees their strongest lineup.
- The Yankees’ medical evaluation and Judge’s recovery over the final days of September will determine his postseason availability.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
