The Yankees’ ALDS roster decision didn’t stop with Aaron Judge.
Judge’s calf injury, suffered in the middle of September, drew most of the spotlight when New York announced its roster for the next round. But the club also left former Guardians shortstop Amed Rosario off the 26-man group, replacing him with pitcher Ryan Weathers, who missed the ALDS while rehabbing from a left flexor strain.
That was the lone change from the roster the Yankees used to roll past the Red Sox in the Wild Card Series.
Rosario’s postseason role against Boston was minimal. He made one start in that series, went 0-for-1 with a walk, and was lifted in the fifth inning.
New York clearly saw enough to carry him for the Wild Card round, but that spot went to Weathers for the ALDS. The left-hander joined the organization in an offseason trade with the Marlins that cost the Yankees four prospects.
For Guardians fans, Rosario’s absence from the roster is another reminder of how far his career path has shifted. He was once a fixture in Cleveland, including 29 at-bats at the top of the Guardians’ lineup in the 2022 postseason. At the time, whether that usage came from necessity after he was a major part of the Francisco Lindor return or from a real belief he could be an everyday player, he was firmly in the mix.
Not long after, the Guardians dealt him to the Dodgers, and he has been moving around the league since.
This is now his second season as a utility piece for the Yankees, a sharp change from his Cleveland days, when it was shortstop or nothing. He did get some postseason run with New York last year, finishing 3-for-10 in a short stint on the Yankees’ playoff roster.
Even so, it’s tough to see him getting much more of a look this October unless the Yankees add him for the ALCS. For now, he’s out for the ALDS unless an injury opens the door.
Judge’s status still looms largest. New York got through the Wild Card Series without him, but the ALDS against the No. 1 seed Rays is a different animal.
The Yankees had reason to be cautious, especially with the possibility of Judge re-aggravating the injury and missing the ALCS too. That could become the Guardians’ concern later this month, if they can turn things around against the White Sox.
In Other News...
Jo Adell Sends Guardians A Clear Message After Flat ALDS Opener
After a flat start to the American League Division Series, the Guardians were left searching for any spark after Chicagos pitching held them to three hits and no runs in Game 1. Clevelands offense never found a rhythm, and with the series shifting back to Progressive Field for Mondays Game 2, the tone around the team quickly turned from disappointment to urgency.
Jo Adell, who went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts, was among the players stressing the need to flush the opener and move on. For a Guardians club that knows how quickly a postseason series can tilt, the challenge now is to reset at home and come back with a cleaner, more aggressive approach before the White Sox can seize full control. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Have A 20-Year-Old Shortstop Fans Need To Watch
Welbyn Francisca is the kind of young infielder who can make a prospect list feel alive, and the 20-year-old shortstop wasted little time reminding people why he has climbed so quickly through the Guardians system. On Opening Day in the Arizona Fall League, Francisca put together a loud all-around performance, going 5-for-5 with a double, a home run, three runs scored, three RBIs, a walk and a stolen base.
What makes that line especially notable is how it fits into the bigger arc of his year. Francisca spent the 2026 minor league season moving across multiple levels, batting .272 with 19 home runs and 53 RBIs despite missing time because of injury, and he is still showing the kind of impact that suggests his rise is far from finished. For Cleveland, the appeal is obvious: a young shortstop with production, athleticism and momentum, all in the same package. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians May Be Headed For A Costly 2027 Roster Squeeze
Major league clubs always keep one eye on the present and another on the payroll calendar, and the Guardians are getting a reminder of how quickly the bill can climb. MLB Trade Rumors recently laid out projected arbitration salaries for Clevelands 2027 roster, a snapshot that points to Steven Kwan and Jo Adell as two of the pricier names if the club keeps them in the fold.
The projections are only speculative and built from current performance and arbitration eligibility, but they underscore the kind of roster squeeze that can arrive fast for a contender trying to keep its core intact. Not every familiar face is a sure thing to stay, either, with Slade Cecconi and David Fry among the players whose futures could look different by then, leaving Cleveland to weigh cost against continuity. [Read more 🡒]