Yankees omit Aaron Judge from ALDS roster due to calf injury

Aaron Judge was left off the New York Yankees' 26-man roster for the American League Division Series, according to YES Network reporter Jack Curry. The decision follows a right calf strain that forced Judge out of the team's September 16 loss to the Minnesota Twins and led to his placement on the 10-day injured list on September 19, retroactive to the 17th.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed doubt that Judge would be ready for the postseason, and the team proceeded without him in a sweep of the Boston Red Sox in the AL Wild Card Series, winning the two games 18-2. While the Yankees' offense performed strongly in that series, analysts noted that the absence of Judge could limit the team's scoring potential against the Tampa Bay Rays in the upcoming Division Series.

During the week after the Wild Card Series, Judge participated in live batting practice at Yankee Stadium and the organization’s minor-league facilities, and was scheduled for a workout at the team's spring-training complex. However, Boone indicated that Judge had not yet run the bases, suggesting his calf had not recovered enough for activation.

If Judge had been placed on the roster and later removed due to injury, he would have become ineligible for the ALCS, a factor that also influenced the decision. The artificial turf at Tropicana Field was cited as a potential risk for a still-healing calf, and using Judge as a designated hitter would have required removing another player from the lineup.

Pitcher Ryan Weathers, who missed the regular season and the Wild Card Series with a left flexor strain, was added to the ALDS roster, replacing outfielder Amed Rosario.