The New York Yankees are heading into the playoffs without their most dangerous hitter. On Tuesday, Manager Aaron Boone stated Aaron Judge is expected to be out for the initial postseason round. This is a massive blow to a team that needs every run to win a title. The 34-year-old slugger received a platelet-poor plasma injection on Monday for his right calf. Boone told reporters they are planning for him not to be a part of that round. The team faces the Boston Red Sox in a best-of-three series starting September 29.
A Moderate Strain With No Quick Fix
The injury is more serious than a simple tweak. Boone labeled it a “moderate grade” strain in the lower part of the calf. Judge was lifted in the sixth inning during a game against the Minnesota Twins last Wednesday. He had only returned from a broken rib that kept him out for over three months. Boone explained the timeline clearly. “We’re planning on him not being a part of that but we’re also at time of the year, you hear all the time with injuries, you give ranges two to four weeks, four to six weeks,” Boone said. The manager added that the range exists for a reason. He noted that while they push players at this time of year, a week is too soon for a return. “I’m not expecting it, but I’m not ruling it out either,” he told the press.
Judge has tried to play through pain before. He admitted the location of this specific strain makes it harder. “I’ve dealt with strains before and kind of played through them, but this was kind of in a different spot where it made it a little bit more difficult,” Judge said. The next couple of days will involve no running or jumping. His absence leaves a huge hole in the lineup. The team is 48-41 without him this season, but that record masks the offensive drop-off. His presence alone usually lifts the entire team’s confidence.
Can the Outfield Survive Without the Captain?
Without Judge, the outfield looks different. Cody Bellinger and Spencer Jones are options to start in right field. Heliot Ramos has already started there for four straight games. Trent Grisham is on the injured list but could return if his hamstring heals. Jasson DomÃnguez lurks as a dark horse option for the roster. The Yankees clinched home-field advantage for the Wild Card round after beating the Rays. They will host the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. This sets up a familiar matchup for the second straight year.
The team has proven it can win without its captain, but the margin for error is gone. Boone insisted the expectation to win does not change. “We’ve played much of the year without him and for the most part, we’ve done a pretty good job,” Boone said. He stressed that the players are used to the situation. “Obviously you always want your best player in the mix, but we understand we’ve got a job to do and an expectation to win,” he added. The pitching staff has carried the load with a 3.22 ERA, the best in baseball. But the offense needs to step up when the stakes get highest.
The numbers show just how much the Yankees will miss. In only 66 games this season, Judge has recorded 41 RBIs, 18 home runs, and a .241 batting average. That is a fraction of his output from the previous two years combined. Across those two seasons, he posted 258 RBIs, 111 homers, and a .326 batting average. The contrast is stark. The Yankees must find a way to generate power from the bottom of the order. The Red Sox are a challenge, as Boone noted. “They’ve won a ton of games this year, games that have been probably up in the air late and they’ve come out on top,” Boone said, according to Pinstripe Alley. The Yankees will need every bit of that grit to survive without their leader.
