Yankees to start ALDS without Aaron Judge as injury recovery continues
Aaron Judge will miss the Yankees' opening ALDS game against the Rays due to a right calf strain, while Giancarlo Stanton remains on the roster.
Aaron Judge will not be available for Game 1 of the American League Division Series as the New York Yankees face the Tampa Bay Rays. YES reporter Jack Curry confirmed the outfielder's status ahead of the first game, and New York Post columnist Jon Heyman noted that first baseman Giancarlo Stanton has made the postseason roster.
Judge, who was placed on the injured list on Sept. 19 with a right calf strain, had previously hoped to return for the start of the postseason. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the team decided to leave him off the Wild Card roster because he was not fully recovered.
Since returning from a right rib injury on Sept. 8, Judge appeared in seven games, posting a .174 batting average with one home run in 24 plate appearances before the calf setback. The club expects the additional recovery time afforded by the series will allow him to return more effectively if the Yankees advance.
Gerrit Cole is scheduled to start Game 1 for New York on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ET in St. Petersburg, while the Rays will field a rested lineup after bypassing the Wild Card round as the AL's top seed.