Aaron Judge Remains Out of Yankees' ALDS Roster Against Rays

The New York Yankees have excluded three-time AL MVP Aaron Judge from their 26-player roster for the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, prioritizing his continued recovery from a right calf strain sustained on September 16. Judge, who missed 84 games earlier in 2026 with a fractured rib, returned briefly in early September before the calf injury sidelined him again. Despite undergoing rehabilitation that included a platelet-poor plasma injection, live batting practice sessions, and limited running work over several days, manager Aaron Boone determined that another week of recovery would better prepare Judge for potential later rounds.

Boone met with Judge and the team's medical staff on Friday before announcing the decision. "I feel like he's getting close, but I feel like for us to get a version of Aaron back and to win a World Series, I feel like this week's important for him to continue to work towards getting back," Boone said. The manager noted that Judge had only recently begun running and that building endurance over several additional days was crucial. The decision also reflected tactical considerations: Judge's return as a designated hitter would have complicated the Yankees' roster construction, potentially benching productive players like Luis García Jr., who was 3-for-5 with a home run in the Wild Card Series.

The Yankees swept the Boston Red Sox in the Wild Card Series without Judge, outscoring them 18–2 across two games. For the ALDS roster, New York made one change from that squad, adding left-hander Ryan Weathers—recently cleared after a forearm flexor strain—and removing utility infielder Amed Rosario. Giancarlo Stanton, who has not appeared in a game since April due to calf injuries, remained on the roster as a pinch-hit option, though he did not play in the Wild Card round. The Yankees will carry 11 pitchers and 15 position players. The series begins Saturday at Tropicana Field, with the Yankees having finished the regular season 54–43 without Judge, while the Rays enter the ALDS as the AL East champions with a 98–64 record.