One possible path exists for the Yankees to get Aaron Judge onto the ALDS roster, but it comes with a pretty clear catch: they’d need to win Game 3 first.
The idea centers on the paternity list. Max Fried said he would take the mound in Game 3 of the American League Division Series even if his girlfriend gave birth, and the Yankees would never force him into that choice. Still, if Fried pitches Wednesday night, the club could then explore a roster move that would open the door for Judge on Thursday - provided New York is still alive after Game 3.
That same mechanism is already in play elsewhere in October. On the West Coast, the Padres placed closer Mason Miller on the Postseason Paternity List, with former Yankee Wandy Peralta taking his roster spot in the meantime.
As the MLB PR Account on X explained, Miller can be away from the club for a maximum of one to three days. Once he returns, Peralta comes off the roster.
Today, @MLB has approved the placement of @Padrespitcher Mason Miller on the Postseason Paternity List. During Miller's absence, pitcher Wandy Peralta will be an active member of San Diego’s NLDS roster. Miller will be allowed to be away from the Club for a minimum of one day…
For the Yankees, the same kind of move could technically be available if Fried starts Game 3 and New York wins. If that happens, Fried could be placed on the Paternity List afterward, covering Games 4 and 5 without needing him since those games would be spread across three days anyway.
It’s a long shot, and nobody is pretending otherwise. Judge wasn’t healthy enough to start the series, and if he were added now, he still might not be fully right. But with the season hanging in the balance, Aaron Boone would likely prefer having Judge available on one good leg rather than not having him at all.
There would be a price to pay, too. If the Yankees go this route, they would be without Luis Garcia Jr. at first base, and Ben Rice would not be the designated hitter.
In the ideal version, Judge plays right field, but with a bad calf, the Yankees may be more inclined to use him at DH and keep Rice at first. That would push a healthy Garcia out of the mix for a compromised Judge.
None of that matters until New York wins Game 3, of course. But if the Yankees are looking for one way to make it happen, the paternity list is at least on the table.
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