Yankees face uncertainty as Aaron Judge heads back to injured list
Aaron Judge was placed on the injured list with a right calf strain, leaving his availability for the postseason unclear as the Yankees chase the top wild-card spot.
The New York Yankees opened their final road series with a 9-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, but captain Aaron Judge was placed on the injured list on Friday due to a right calf strain, just weeks after returning from a fractured rib. Manager Aaron Boone said there is no timeline for Judge’s return and that the team will treat the injury and see what develops. "The reality is, we've had to play a lot of the season this year without him. There's no replacing a player who is as great as Aaron Judge, but we have high expectations. Those don't change now," Boone added.
The Yankees currently hold the top wild-card position, leading the Boston Red Sox by six games and possessing the season-series tiebreaker. They could clinch the spot as early as Sunday. While an AL East title remains mathematically possible, the team trails the Tampa Bay Rays by four games and would need to win the remaining head-to-head matchups to force a tiebreaker.
Judge’s calf strain is likely a Grade 1 injury, which typically requires two to three weeks on the injured list, though recovery can be unpredictable. He is eligible to be activated on the final day of the regular season, but his health status for the upcoming Wild Card Series is uncertain.
Cody Bellinger acknowledged Judge’s impact, stating, "Missing Judge, it hurts. We all know he's the best hitter in the game. ... I'm fully confident that we have enough talent in here that we can go out and win, and beat anybody."
The Yankees’ lineup, which relies on Judge’s right-handed power to balance a left-heavy roster, may need to adjust if he cannot play. Options include using Ben Rice as a designated hitter or reshuffling other position players, though each change could affect overall offensive production.
New York’s pitching staff, which has posted the league’s best run differential and the fewest runs allowed per game, will be critical in the postseason, especially if the team must compensate for Judge’s absence. The club also contends with additional injuries to players such as outfielder Trent Grisham, second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., and left-hander Ryan Weathers, though some may return before the season ends.
The Yankees must navigate Judge’s health uncertainty while maintaining their strong pitching performance as they approach the playoffs.