The Yankees will enter the battle against the Red Sox without the two-time reigning MVP. Aaron judges will not be on New York’s roster for the Wild Card round, as first reported by YES Network’s Jack Curry. The outfielder suffers from a calf strain. Judge will have to wait until the ALDS to join the team, if the Yankees make it.
New York will likely host Cody Bellinger, Heliot RamosAnd Spencer Jones in the outfield. Ben Rice will manage DH. It’s a familiar setup for the Yankees, as they’ve been without a judge for most of the last four months.
The judge fell with which manager Aaron Boone described as a “moderate” calf strain, although the outfielder later bristled at that characterization. He received an injection of low-platelet plasma last week. The judge had maintained he would be ready for the Wild Card round.
“Everyone’s moderation is a little different” the judge said, relayed by Jorge Castillo of ESPN. “Your moderate is a little different from mine, so on. So, I don’t know why he used those words. But like I said, I’m trying to get back as soon as possible..”
With Judge missing on the roster, the Yankees get two injured bats back. Giancarlo Stanton will be with the club for the Wild Card round, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Trent Grisham also made the list, Morosi relay. Stanton has been out since late April with a calf strain. He was transferred to the 60 day IL near the end of August. Grisham suffered a hamstring injury in early September.
Stanton’s initial recovery from a calf strain was slowed by other calf injuries. He tweaked the one on the right in June, then put the one on the left to the test in August. It was the second straight season marred by injuries. Stanton was limited to 77 games in 2025 due to elbow issues.
Stanton played in 24 games this season. He slashed a modest .256/.302/.422 with three homers in 96 plate appearances. Stanton’s return to the mix will give a left-handed lineup a right-handed option against Boston’s lefties. The Red Sox will start Payton Tolle in game 1 and Ranger Suarez in game 3 (if necessary).
Grisham strained his hamstring during the first week of September. He was the everyday center fielder before his injury. Grisham hit just .211 this year, but he had 18 homers and nine steals.
For the second straight season, Grisham struggled with the glove. He recorded -8 defensive runs saved in 119 games at center field. He was -11 DRS in 2025. Jones wasn’t much better there (-4 DRS), but he was productive at the plate. The rookie actually has better numbers against left-handed pitchers, which could keep him in the lineup. Ramos could be ousted when the Yankees face a right-hander. Sonny Gray is in line to start Game 2.
Photo courtesy of Brad Penner, Imagn Images
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