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Yankees Face Uncertainty as Aaron Judge's Return Hangs in the Balance
Confirmed
In Short: The New York Yankees are facing a critical moment as they prepare for the postseason, with star slugger Aaron Judge's return uncertain due to a calf strain.
The New York Yankees are facing a critical moment as they prepare for the postseason, with star slugger Aaron Judge's return uncertain due to a calf strain. Manager Aaron Boone has indicated that Judge is unlikely to be available for the upcoming Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox, which begins Tuesday.
Judge, who is entering his mid-30s, has been a cornerstone of the Yankees' lineup since his breakout season in 2020. However, he has played in just 66 games this season, the lowest total of his career, after missing significant time due to a rib fracture.
In the seven games following his return, Judge struggled, hitting just.174/.208/.304 with one home run and 13 strikeouts in 24 plate appearances. His latest injury, a calf strain, occurred just seven games after he returned from a 99-day absence due to a stress fracture in his right rib.
Boone has been cautious about Judge's return, stating, 'We’ll see if that’s even a realistic option.' Judge is owed $25 million next year in the final guaranteed season of his $325 million, 13-year contract, which includes a $10 million buyout of a 2028 club option. The manager added, 'You’re looking more at a pinch-hit scenario,' suggesting that Judge may not be ready for a full workload.
The Yankees have reached the postseason in eight of Aaron Boone's nine seasons as manager, but their playoff record against teams with a better or same regular-season record is 1-8. This season, the Yankees have won at least 93 games for the third consecutive year, but their World Series drought now stands at 17 seasons.
Boone, who was battling a cold, said, 'Putting them on the outskirts of the conversation,' referring to the Yankees' position in the playoffs. The team will host the Red Sox in a best-of-three Wild Card Series, a rematch of last year's series which the Yankees won.
The Yankees are also dealing with the possibility of Giancarlo Stanton's availability. Stanton, who is owed $25 million next year, has been a key player but his status for the playoffs is uncertain. Boone noted, 'We’ll see if that’s even a realistic option.'
As the Yankees prepare for the playoffs, they must balance their top-three payroll of $336 million in 2026 with the upcoming collective bargaining agreement changes. The team's focus remains on winning a championship, a goal that has eluded them for 17 seasons.
What this adds
The Yankees have clinched home field advantage for the Wild Card round, but their playoff record against stronger teams remains a concern.
Background
The New York Yankees swept the Boston Red Sox, marking their first playoff series win since the 2005 World Series, according to CBS Sports.
What's confirmed
- The New York Yankees are facing a critical moment as they prepare for the postseason, with star slugger Aaron Judge's return uncertain due to a calf strain. Manager Aaron Boone has indicated that Judge is unlikely to be available for the upcoming Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox, which begins Tuesday.
- Judge, who is entering his mid-30s, has been a cornerstone of the Yankees' lineup since his breakout season in 2020. However, he has played in just 66 games this season, the lowest total of his career, after missing significant time due to a rib fracture.
- In the seven games following his return, Judge struggled, hitting just.174/.208/.304 with one home run and 13 strikeouts in 24 plate appearances. His latest injury, a calf strain, occurred just seven games after he returned from a 99-day absence due to a stress fracture in his right rib.
- Boone has been cautious about Judge's return, stating, 'We’ll see if that’s even a realistic option.' Judge is owed $25 million next year in the final guaranteed season of his $325 million, 13-year contract, which includes a $10 million buyout of a 2028 club option. The manager added, 'You’re looking more at a pinch-hit scenario,' suggesting that Judge may not be ready for a full workload.
- The Yankees have reached the postseason in eight of Aaron Boone's nine seasons as manager, but their playoff record against teams with a better or same regular-season record is 1-8. This season, the Yankees have won at least 93 games for the third consecutive year, but their World Series drought now stands at 17 seasons.
- Boone, who was battling a cold, said, 'Putting them on the outskirts of the conversation,' referring to the Yankees' position in the playoffs. The team will host the Red Sox in a best-of-three Wild Card Series, a rematch of last year's series which the Yankees won.
- As the Yankees prepare for the playoffs, they must balance their top-three payroll of $336 million in 2026 with the upcoming collective bargaining agreement changes. The team's focus remains on winning a championship, a goal that has eluded them for 17 seasons.
What's still developing
- The fact that Judge, the franchise's greatest player since Derek Jeter, is entering his mid-30s only ups that pressure.
- Turn on the YES Network or walk into Yankee Stadium, and the Yankees are quick to remind you they're the 27-time champs.
- This franchise is defined by titles and this is now 17 seasons without one.
- Every offseason is important and this one is especially important for a Yankees team that has several core players getting up there in age (Judge, Gerrit Cole, etc.), and will have to square their top-three payroll ($336 million in 2026, per FanGraphs ) with whatever changes the upcoming collective bargaining agreement brings to the game's economic landscape.
- The Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Milwaukee Brewers are the only teams in baseball to win at least 93 games in each of the last three seasons.
- The World Series drought puts enough pressure on the organization.
- "I think a lot of things. I don't make those decisions," Judge told reporters.
- "We'll see how today goes and we'll have a better answer for you at the end of this." Judge added that he's "feeling great" ahead of the series against the Boston Red Sox.
- Following the end of the seasons for Yankees farm teams, New York has minor leaguers working out at Somerset in nearby New Jersey.
- The Yankees ’ captain will be placed on the 10-day injured list with a right calf strain on Saturday, the team announced Friday.
- On Wednesday, Judge, 4-for-23 (.174) with one home run and three RBI since coming back, compared his new injury to the types of nagging issues that pop up during spring training and at the start of the season when players start ramping up their bodies.
- Asked about the severity of Judge’s injury, the skipper cryptically replied, “It’s tough to know for sure.” Boone also claimed he didn’t know the grade of the strain suffered by his best player.