The MLB postseason is set to begin with a familiar rivalry, but the New York Yankees will enter their Wild Card series against the Boston Red Sox without star slugger Aaron Judge.
According to reports on Tuesday, Judge will not be included on the Yankees’ roster for the Wild Card series. The decision comes after the 34-year-old was placed on the injured list with a calf strain on Sept. 18.
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Judge’s injury-plagued season
Judge had initially been listed as questionable for the series after suffering the injury. On Sept. 22, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the team was planning to use Judge during the Wild Card round, but those plans have since changed.
The three-time MVP and five-time Silver Slugger winner also missed roughly three months earlier in the season because of a rib fracture, returning in early September. After his return, Judge struggled offensively, going just 4-for-23 before the calf injury sent him back to the injured list.
Judge appeared in only 66 games during the regular season, batting .241 with 18 home runs, 41 RBI and a .871 OPS. His absence leaves the Yankees without one of their biggest offensive threats as they prepare for the postseason.
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Yankees prepare for Boston
Without Judge, New York is expected to rely on Cody Bellinger, Heliot Ramos and Spencer Jones in the outfield. Ben Rice is also expected to occupy the designated hitter spot against Boston.
The Yankees and Red Sox are scheduled to begin Game 1 of the Wild Card round Tuesday in the Bronx. New York won the regular-season series between the rivals, taking seven of their 13 meetings.
This marks the second consecutive year the Yankees and Red Sox have faced one another in the Wild Card round. New York won Games 2 and 3 last year to advance to the American League Division Series, where the Yankees were eliminated by the Toronto Blue Jays.
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