Aaron Judge Expected to Miss Yankees' AL Wild Card Series Due to Calf Injury
The New York Yankees have received another major blow involving Aaron Judge, as manager Aaron Boone said the team is not planning on having the superstar play in next week's American League Wild Card Series because of a moderate right calf strain.
Judge was placed on the injured list Friday after leaving the Yankees' September 16 game against the Minnesota Twins with the injury. According to ESPN's report, the slugger received a platelet-poor plasma (PPP) injection Monday as part of his recovery process.
The setback comes at a particularly difficult time for Judge, who had only recently returned to the Yankees after missing more than three months with a stress fracture in his right rib. His latest return lasted just seven games before the calf injury forced him back onto the injured list.
Judge's absence creates another significant hole in the Yankees' lineup heading into the postseason. After working his way back from a lengthy absence, the team's captain now faces another period on the sidelines at the most important point of the season.
The Yankees are expected to face the Boston Red Sox in the American League Wild Card Series, making Judge's availability an important storyline heading into the postseason. However, Boone's comments indicate that New York is preparing for the series without its star slugger.
For the Yankees, the focus now shifts toward helping Judge recover from the calf strain while preparing the rest of the roster for October baseball.
Aaron Judge's latest injury is another setback for New York, leaving the Yankees facing the postseason without one of their most important offensive weapons.
Breaking: The Yankees do not expect to have Aaron Judge available for the Wild Card series next week, manager Aaron Boone said.
— ESPN (@espn) September 22, 2026
Judge was placed on the injured list with a right calf strain Friday and received a PPP injection Monday. pic.twitter.com/mfLjfjw1kY