Yankees omit Aaron Judge from ALDS roster as calf injury persists
Aaron Judge remains sidelined with a right calf strain as the New York Yankees submit a 26-man roster for the AL Division Series against Tampa Bay, adding Giancarlo Stanton and Ryan Weathers.
New York Yankees submitted a 26-player roster for the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, leaving out slugger Aaron Judge, who is still recovering from a right calf strain. The club listed 11 pitchers and 15 position players, with left-hander Ryan Weathers replacing utility man Amed Rosario. Weathers, who last pitched on Aug. 22, will be available for one-inning relief duties but cannot pitch on consecutive days.
Giancarlo Stanton, who appeared as a pinch-hitter in the wild-card round, remains on the roster and is expected to serve in a similar role. Stanton, who has not played since April due to multiple calf strains, said, "> I'm ready to go. I'm ready to help the team in any way I can."
Judge, 34, has not played since a soleus muscle strain on Sept. 16, which followed a lengthy recovery from a fractured rib. He received a platelet-poor plasma injection and participated in limited batting practice and workouts this week, but manager Aaron Boone indicated that the turf at Tropicana Field and Judge’s health status influenced the decision to exclude him. The Yankees, who have a 54-43 record without Judge this season, will need to defeat the Rays and advance to the ALCS for Judge to have another chance to play in the postseason.