New York Yankees star Aaron Judge told ESPN on Wednesday that he intends to be ready for Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium next Tuesday, despite being placed on the injured list Saturday with a right calf strain. "That's what the plan is," Judge said. "Try to get my body ready so I'm ready to go."

The strain is in the soleus muscle, essential for running and hitting. Judge received a PPP injection Monday and is awaiting clearance to resume leg activity. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he does not expect Judge available for the series but did not rule it out. "We're planning on him not being a part of that," Boone said.

Judge, 34, suffered the injury during a Sept. 16 loss to the Minnesota Twins, his seventh game back after missing over three months with a fractured rib. He went 4-for-23 with 13 strikeouts after returning. Overall, he batted .241 with 18 home runs in 66 games. The Yankees are 41-25 with Judge in the lineup and 49-42 without him. They may face the Boston Red Sox in the wild-card series.