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Aaron Judge Says He Plans to Be Ready for Yankees' Wild Card Series Despite Calf Injury
ReAaron Judge Says He Plans to Be Ready for Yankees' Wild Card Series Despite Calf Injury
Aaron Judge intends to be ready for Game 1 of the Yankees' AL Wild Card series next Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, even as manager Aaron Boone says the team is planning for him not to be part of it.
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge says he intends to be ready for Game 1 of the American League Wild Card series next Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, even as manager Aaron Boone said the team is planning for him not to be part of the series.
Judge, a three-time MVP, was placed on the injured list Saturday after suffering a right calf strain. He told ESPN that the plan is to get his body ready so he can play. The Yankees are waiting for clearance to resume baseball activities involving his leg after he received a Platelet-Poor Plasma injection Monday in his calf.
Judge specified that he has a soleus muscle strain, which he described as essential for running and hitting — the two things the Yankees need him to do if they hope to reach the World Series again. An MRI on Thursday revealed the grade of the strain.
Boone offered a different view Tuesday, telling reporters the team is planning on Judge not being part of the Wild Card series, though he has not officially ruled him out. The Yankees still have time to finalize their roster.
If Judge is not on the Wild Card roster, he would not be allowed to play until the Yankees reach the ALDS, which only happens if they win the best-of-three series. Judge said he has had talks with those in the organization who make decisions but declined to share details. «I can't control what people say,» he said. «So, you'll have to talk to them about that.»
The injury comes after Judge had just returned from a three-month stint on the injured list with a fractured rib. This ailment may not be as serious, but it arrives at a time when the Yankees would prefer to have him at full strength.
Since returning to the team, Judge has not struggled to get back to his usual slugging form. He went 4-of-23 with one home run and 13 strikeouts over 24 plate appearances. Those came right after he was deemed healthy enough to play instead of going to the minor leagues for a rehab assignment.
«We've got games to win,» Judge said. «I'm getting paid to play games for the New York Yankees, so I'll get back as soon as I can.»
The Yankees could face multiple opponents in the Wild Card series, but it is most likely to be a rematch from 2025 in the Bronx against the Boston Red Sox.
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