New York – The New York Yankees revealed their 26‑man roster for the American League Division Series (ALDS) on Saturday morning, opting to go without captain Aaron Judge. The decision comes as Judge, 34, continues his recovery from a strained right calf that first sidelined him on September 16.
Injury timeline and recent activity
Judge was placed on the injured list three days after the calf strain and missed the Yankees’ two‑game wild‑card sweep of the Boston Red Sox. Since then, he has taken part in a gradual return to baseball activities. He faced live pitching for the first time since the injury on a Monday, ran the outfield on Tuesday, and participated in batting practice on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, Judge worked out at the Yankees’ minor‑league facility in Tampa and also at Tropicana Field.
Roster composition for the series
The outfield spots for the ALDS are filled by Trent Grisham, Spencer Jones, Heliodoro Ramos and Giancarlo Stanton. Utility roles are covered by Cody Bellinger and Jose Caballero, both capable of playing in the infield and outfield. The Yankees will open Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Rays at 6:38 p.m. ET on Saturday in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Judge’s recent performance before the injury
Before the calf strain, Judge struggled at the plate, posting a .174 batting average (4‑for‑23) with one home run and three RBIs over seven games after returning from a prior stint on the injured list on September 8. Earlier in the season, he missed more than three months due to a fractured rib.
Overall, Judge appeared in 66 games this year, hitting .241 with a .360 on‑base percentage and a .511 slugging percentage, along with 18 home runs and 41 RBIs. The 66‑game total marks the fewest appearances he has made in a single season since his debut in 2016, not counting the shortened 2020 campaign.
Career context and future outlook
Judge is an eight‑time All‑Star and three‑time American League MVP who continues to chase his first World Series title. In postseason play, he holds a career .236 batting average with 17 home runs and 41 RBIs across 65 games.
While Judge has publicly expressed his determination to return for the postseason, the Yankees’ front office decided to move forward without him for the opening series against the Rays. The team will reassess his health and potential contribution as the playoffs progress.
What this means for Yankees fans
Yankees supporters will have to rely on the depth of the outfield and the versatility of the utility players as the club seeks to advance past the Rays. The decision underscores the importance of health management in a demanding postseason schedule and highlights the depth of talent the organization has cultivated.
Fans can follow the series live on national broadcasts and stay tuned for updates on Judge’s recovery as the Yankees aim to extend their postseason run.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
