New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge is once again sidelined, heading to the 10-day injured list due to a strained right calf. This recent development occurs with only ten regular season games remaining, raising concerns about his readiness for the upcoming postseason. Judge's absence highlights the team's ongoing challenges with player health as they navigate a critical period in their schedule.
The injury emerged during a game against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday. Judge participated in two at-bats before being replaced by a pinch-hitter due to discomfort in his lower right leg. Initially, the team refrained from explicitly stating the nature of the issue, describing it only as a "lower body" concern. However, subsequent evaluations confirmed a calf strain, necessitating his placement on the injured list.
This marks Judge's second stint on the injured list this season. He had only recently rejoined the team on September 8th, recovering from a fractured first right rib that had kept him out for 84 games. During that initial recovery, Judge did not engage in any minor league rehabilitation games, a decision that may now be scrutinized in light of his quick return to the injury list. Since his activation, his performance has been modest, with a .174 batting average and one home run across seven appearances, going 4-for-23.
The Yankees are scheduled to kick off a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday. Judge's official move to the injured list is slated for Saturday, at which point the team will announce a corresponding roster adjustment. Currently, New York maintains a six-game lead over the Red Sox for the top American League wild card position. With the postseason potentially commencing as early as September 29th, Judge is projected to be eligible to return, offering a glimmer of hope for his availability during the critical playoff push.
The initial signs of Judge's injury surfaced early in Wednesday's game against the Twins. He felt tightness in his calf while playing right field during the first inning, though he couldn't pinpoint a specific moment of onset. Later, in the sixth inning, with the Twins leading 2-0 and a runner on first base, Judge was pulled from the game for pinch-hitter Heliot Ramos. Television footage from the YES Network captured Judge reacting with a wince after a swing and miss during his final at-bat, underscoring the severity of the discomfort he was experiencing.
As the Yankees prepare to host the Tampa Bay Rays for a crucial four-game series beginning next Tuesday, they remain five games behind the AL East-leading Rays. Judge's latest injury adds another layer of complexity to their pursuit of the division title, as they aim to solidify their playoff standing and prepare for a challenging postseason run without one of their key offensive contributors for the remainder of the regular season.
