Aaron Judge Takes Another Step Toward Potential Yankees Playoff Return

Yankees captain Aaron Judge is moving closer to a potential return for the American League Division Series, having taken live batting practice on Wednesday afternoon. Judge, who has been sidelined with a right calf strain, took swings in Somerset with the team's stay-ready group, facing pitchers including Luis Gil, Eli Morgan, and Justin Topa.

This marks the second time in three days Judge has faced live pitching, a significant step in his recovery. Manager Aaron Boone indicated that Judge was receiving treatment on Tuesday during pregame introductions and was not present for the player introductions, though he was in the dugout for the first pitch of Game 1 against the Red Sox. Boone explained that some injured players, including Judge, were undergoing treatment during the introductions.

While Judge's absence from the introductions initially fueled speculation about a setback or dissatisfaction with not being on the playoff roster, his participation in batting practice on Wednesday suggests otherwise. Boone expressed optimism about Judge's progress, noting that the captain has been able to meet multiple checkpoints set by the training and strength staff.

"I feel like in the couple weeks since the injury, he’s made real strides and significant improvements," Boone said Wednesday. "And hopefully we’re in a position to make another decision in a couple of days."

Boone acknowledged that playing on the turf at Tropicana Field, a potential venue for the ALDS, could complicate things for a player with a soft-tissue leg injury. However, he stated it was too early to definitively say if Judge would be ready for Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday against the Rays.

The Yankees are currently carrying Giancarlo Stanton as a pinch-hitter after his own calf injuries, and the roster flexibility for the ALDS, which may require adding pitchers, could influence decisions about carrying Judge. If Judge returns as a designated hitter, it could impact the playing time for other players like Ben Rice, Luis García Jr., and Paul Goldschmidt, who are already vying for time at first base and DH.