Aaron Judge Disagrees with Manager, Hints at Playoff Return Despite Injury

New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge has expressed confidence in his potential return for the upcoming Wild Card round of the playoffs, directly contradicting statements made by manager Aaron Boone.

Boone had indicated that the team was not expecting Judge to be available for the AL Wild Card Series opener on Tuesday. However, Judge, who has been sidelined since September 16 with a strained right calf, stated his intention to do everything possible to rejoin the lineup.

"The Bronx is a magical place in October," Judge said after the Yankees' 9-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. "I don't want to miss out on that opportunity." He added, "My goal is to come back as soon as I can. That's what I'm doing right now. If [Boone] said I'm not gonna be ready, I've got no control over that. I've got control over what I can do. I'm trying to get back as soon as I can. If you ask if I'm gonna be back [for the wild-card series], I'm gonna say, 'Yeah.'"

Judge also took issue with Boone's description of his injury as a "moderate" strain, stating, "Everybody's moderate is a little different. I don't know why [Boone] used those words."

The star outfielder received a platelet-poor plasma injection on Monday. This latest injury follows a period where Judge missed significant time from May 31 to September 8 due to a fractured rib, playing in only seven games before aggravating his calf.

"Any injection doesn't feel too good that day, but I feel a lot better today and we're going to keep making strides," Judge commented on the injection.

Judge, a three-time AL MVP candidate, has played in 66 games this season, batting .241 with 18 home runs, 41 RBIs, and an .871 OPS. Since returning from his rib injury, he had hit .174 with one home run and three RBIs in seven games.

Boone acknowledged the possibility of Judge's return, stating, "We are going to listen to the body and see how he heals. If he is in a position to do that, obviously we are going to want him. So, no, I haven't ruled anything out, of course."

In related news, Giancarlo Stanton is nearing a return after a five-and-a-half month absence. Stanton, who has been recovering from calf injuries in both legs, participated in batting practice against pitchers on Wednesday at Double-A Somerset. Center fielder Trent Grisham, out since straining his right hamstring on September 4, also took part. Both players ran the bases, and Stanton hit a home run during his six or seven at-bats.

"Putting them on the outskirts of the conversation," Boone said of Judge and Stanton's potential returns.

Stanton has not played since April 24. He began the season batting .256 with three home runs and 14 RBIs in 24 games. The outfielder has a history of injuries since joining the Yankees in 2018, missing a significant number of games due to various ailments, including strains to his biceps, knee, hamstring, and quadriceps, as well as ankle inflammation, Achilles tendinitis, and elbow pain.