Yankees leave Aaron Judge off AL Wild Card roster, add Giancarlo Stanton
Aaron Judge was omitted from New York's 26-man roster for the American League Wild Card series, while Giancarlo Stanton, activated from the injured list, was included.
Aaron Judge will not be on the New York Yankees' roster for the American League Wild Card series against the Boston Red Sox, as the team submitted a 26-man list without the eight-time All-Star. The decision follows Judge's calf strain on Sept. 16, which has kept him out since his brief return earlier in the month.
Giancarlo Stanton, who was activated from the 60-day injured list on Tuesday, was added to the roster and is expected to serve as a pinch hitter. Outfielder Trent Grisham, also returning from the injured list, made the squad, while left-hander Ryan Weathers was left off.
The Yankees will carry 16 position players and 10 pitchers for the best-of-three series, a composition that differs from last year’s roster of 14 position players and 12 pitchers.
"It's a moderate-grade strain, and we weren't expecting him to be ready for the Wild Card series," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said last week.
Stanton, who has not played since a calf strain in April and subsequent setbacks, has a career postseason record of 18 home runs and a .926 OPS in 48 games. He is slated for pinch-hitting duties against Boston.
Judge participated in a live batting-practice session on Monday, hitting a home run but not running the bases. Team officials considered his performance before finalizing the roster.
If the Yankees advance to the AL Division Series, they could add Judge to the roster for the series against the Tampa Bay Rays, which begins Saturday at Tropicana Field.