The Yankees may be headed into October without Aaron Judge in the middle of their lineup. Manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that the club is preparing for its likely American League Wild Card Series against Boston without its captain, who is dealing with a moderate strain in his right calf.
“We’re planning on him not being a part of that,” Boone said, setting a sober early tone for a postseason picture that has already taken a costly turn for New York.
Judge went on the 10-day injured list Saturday. During Monday’s scheduled off day, he received a platelet-poor plasma injection in the injured calf and will not take part in baseball activity for several days. That timetable makes a quick return for the opening round increasingly unlikely.
New York has already secured a place in the postseason, but its path remains tied to the division race. Tampa Bay entered the day with a magic number of two to claim the American League East and the league’s top seed. If the Rays finish that job, the Yankees would be locked into the Wild Card Series, with Boston expected to be the opponent.
For a club built around its stars carrying the big October innings, Judge’s absence would leave a major hole before the first postseason pitch is thrown. The Yankees can still reach the tournament, but they may have to open it without the hitter and clubhouse presence they would most want in the batter’s box when the game tightens late.
