The Yankees put away Tampa Bay, 2-0, behind eight scoreless innings from Carlos Rodón on Tuesday, but the bigger October question arrived less than an hour before first pitch: Aaron Judge is headed back to the injured list with a moderate right-calf strain. New York may have to open a possible American League Wild Card Series against Boston on Sept. 29 without its captain.
| Tuesday at Yankee Stadium | Line |
|---|---|
| Rays | 0 runs |
| Yankees | 2 runs |
| Carlos Rodón | 8 scoreless innings |
| Potential Wild Card Series | Begins Sept. 29 vs. Red Sox |
Judge’s status beyond that opening round, including a possible AL Division Series, remains uncertain. The Yankees have been forced to play through absences all season, though, and Cody Bellinger said the room believes it has enough to stay alive without the game’s most feared hitter.
“Losing Judge is painful,” Bellinger said. “Everybody knows what he means as a hitter. But this clubhouse has talent, and I believe we can beat anybody if we go out and play our game.”
The rotation has carried the load
Rodón’s work against the Rays was another reminder of the Yankees’ October foundation. He may not even receive the ball in a Wild Card Series, with Cam Schlittler, Gerrit Cole and Max Fried positioned ahead of him. Schlittler is in the AL Cy Young Award conversation, leaving New York with an unusually deep set of options for a short series.
Since July 28, Yankee starters have held opponents to two or fewer earned runs in 40 of 51 starts. They have allowed no more than one earned run 33 times in that stretch and posted a 2.50 ERA. Across the full season, New York has permitted one run or fewer in 65 games, a franchise record for a single year.
Rodón said the assignment does not change with Judge sidelined. “We show up trying to win every day, no matter who is in the lineup,” he said. “It is hard not having the best player in the world out there, and I hope he returns. Still, our job is to win.”
There is offense beyond the captain
This is not the 2022 club that leaned on Judge’s record-setting 62 homers as its central offensive force. A rib injury limited Judge to 66 games this season, and he hit .241 with 18 home runs and 41 RBIs before this latest setback.
Ben Rice has supplied much of the missing thunder, reaching the 39-homer total Boone predicted for him in spring training. Bellinger remains a key middle-of-the-order presence. Luis García Jr. has slumped lately, but his added bat speed has offered reason to believe his production can continue. Heliot Ramos, after a slow opening, has shown power and could be especially valuable against left-handed pitching in October.
The Yankees are 36-24 since the All-Star break, with much of that run coming while Judge was unavailable. Boone said the club has learned to operate without important pieces for extended stretches.
The rookies have already taken big swings
George Lombard Jr. and Spencer Jones made a loud impression in the recent Diamondbacks series, each taking Corbin Burnes deep. Their homers traveled a combined 872 feet, with Lombard’s measured at 424 feet and Jones’ at 448.
Both newcomers have endured the usual first-year bumps. Lombard committed errors in six straight games during one difficult stretch, while Jones has shown the swing-and-miss that may remain part of his profile. But their talent is evident, and either could be asked to handle a defining postseason at-bat.
Bellinger’s view is straightforward: “Play for one another, rely on one another and keep moving the baton. Handle your own job and what you can control.”
Reinforcements are returning
Jazz Chisholm Jr. came off the injured list between games of Tuesday’s doubleheader, bringing back another athletic option. His season has been uneven, but he was rolling before getting hurt, going 18-for-46 for a .391 average.
Anthony Volpe used Chisholm’s absence to make a case for a postseason roster spot. He could fit particularly well if New York carries 11 pitchers and 15 position players in the opening round. Trent Grisham also remains under consideration for a playoff berth.
“Hopefully, we keep getting players back and become tougher as we go,” Boone said.
The bullpen may get October help
The relief corps has been one of New York’s strongest units, though there are signs it could use a reset. Brent Headrick ranks second in the majors with 79 appearances, and his velocity has not always been consistent recently. Once the AL East is settled, the Yankees could give him needed rest.
David Bednar and Paul Blackburn have continued to pitch well. More options are coming, too: Will Warren is scheduled for one more start before shifting to the bullpen as a potential multi-inning weapon. Clarke Schmidt and Ryan Weathers are also candidates to join the relief mix.
Boone noted that October can quickly rearrange a roster. Players accept unfamiliar jobs, and the ones not expected to headline the series can wind up owning its biggest moments. With Judge’s return date unclear, that is the path the Yankees will need to follow.
