The Yankees are heading into their Wild Card matchup with the Red Sox without Aaron Judge on the roster.
Judge, the two-time reigning MVP, was left off New York’s Wild Card roster because of a calf strain, as first reported by Jack Curry of YES Network. That pushes his return at least to the ALDS, if the Yankees advance that far.
The move leaves the Yankees to piece together the outfield without their biggest bat. Cody Bellinger, Heliot Ramos and Spencer Jones are expected to handle those spots, while Ben Rice will serve as the designated hitter. It’s a setup New York has leaned on before, since Judge has missed most of the last four months.
Judge’s injury was described by manager Aaron Boone as a “ moderate ” calf strain, a label Judge pushed back on after receiving a platelet-poor plasma injection last week.
“ Everybody’s moderate is a little different,” Judge said, relayed by Jorge Castillo of ESPN. “ Your moderate is a little different than my moderate, so on and 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 I can.”
Even without Judge, the Yankees are getting some reinforcements. Giancarlo Stanton will be on the roster for the Wild Card round, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, and Trent Grisham has also made the cut.
Stanton has been out since late April with a calf strain and was moved to the 60-day injured list near the end of August. His recovery was slowed by more calf trouble after he tweaked the right one in June and strained the left one in August. It has been another injury-hit year for Stanton, who was limited to 77 games in 2025 because of elbow issues.
He has appeared in 24 games this season and hit .256/.302/.422 with three home runs in 96 plate appearances. His return gives New York a right-handed option in a lineup that leans left, especially with Boston set to start Payton Tolle in Game 1 and Ranger Suarez in Game 3 if needed.
Grisham missed time after straining his hamstring in the first week of September. Before the injury, he had been the everyday center fielder. His season line sits at .211, but he has added 18 homers and nine steals.
Defense has been a problem for Grisham for the second straight season, with -8 Defensive Runs Saved over 119 games in center field. Jones hasn’t been much better there at -4 DRS, but he has produced at the plate.
The rookie has also fared better against left-handed pitching, which could help keep him in the lineup. Ramos could be the odd man out when the Yankees face a right-hander.
Sonny Gray is in line to start Game 2.
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