Yankees leave Aaron Judge off ALDS roster against Rays due to calf strain

Aaron Judge will not play in the Yankees' American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, which began Saturday, October 3, at Tropicana Field, according to ESPN's Jorge Castillo, CBS Sports and MLB.com. Judge has not appeared in a game since September 16.

What happened to Judge

Judge sustained a moderate strain of the soleus muscle in his right calf during a game against the Minnesota Twins on September 16, according to MLB.com. He was lifted in the sixth inning for a pinch hitter because of leg discomfort, and an MRI confirmed the strain. According to ESPN and MLB Trade Rumors, the Yankees placed him on the 10-day injured list three days later. MLB.com reported that this type of injury typically requires at least three weeks to heal, and Judge later received a platelet-poor plasma injection in late September as part of his rehabilitation.

Why he was left off the roster

Manager Aaron Boone told reporters, as quoted by ESPN and CBS Sports, that Judge had resumed running and batting practice but still needed more time to build endurance. "I feel like for us to get a good version of Aaron, this was the right thing to do," Boone said, adding that Judge needed "another five, six, seven days" before being game-ready. MLB.com reported Boone called the decision "very close" and said activating Judge for a limited pinch-hitting role would have cut into the recovery time he needs.

CBS Sports reported that the decision also carries a strategic element: if Judge were activated during the ALDS and reinjured, he could become ineligible for the ALCS roster. MLB Trade Rumors added that the Rays play on an artificial surface at Tropicana Field, which was cited as a further risk factor for an in-season return.

Roster move

To fill Judge's spot, the Yankees added left-handed pitcher Ryan Weathers, who has been recovering from a left flexor strain since August 22, according to MLB Trade Rumors and MLB.com. Infielder/outfielder Amed Rosario was removed from the 26-man roster to accommodate the move, expanding New York's pitching staff to 11 players. MLB.com noted the Yankees still have designated-hitter options including Giancarlo Stanton, Ben Rice and Paul Goldschmidt.

Background: the wild-card round

Judge also missed the Yankees' Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox. ESPN reported the Yankees swept that series 2-0, while CBS Sports and MLB Trade Rumors cited a combined 18-2 scoreline across the two games, showing the offense could produce without him in that round.

What's next

MLB.com reported that Judge remains eligible to be added to the roster for the ALCS if the Yankees advance past the Rays. Game 2 of the ALDS was scheduled for Monday at 8 p.m. ET, broadcast on TBS, truTV, UniMas and HBO Max, according to MLB.com.

• Injury: right calf soleus strain, suffered September 16 vs. Minnesota Twins
• Placed on the 10-day injured list three days after the injury, according to ESPN and MLB Trade Rumors
• Missed the Wild Card sweep of the Red Sox and now the ALDS vs. the Rays
• Replaced on the roster by pitcher Ryan Weathers; Amed Rosario removed
• Remains eligible for the ALCS roster if New York advances