The Yankees have not decided if Aaron Judge will be on their ALDS roster against the Rays as he recovers from a right calf strain, manager Aaron Boone said Friday. Judge has not played since Sept. 16. The Yankees swept the Red Sox 18-2 in the wild-card round without him.
Judge faced live pitching Thursday and worked out Friday at Tropicana Field. Boone said running the bases is not a prerequisite for inclusion. The turf surface at Tropicana Field is a factor, and Judge could be limited early in the series, possibly used as a pinch hitter before starting in right field for Game 3 in New York.
Rays manager Kevin Cash expects Judge to play. Giancarlo Stanton said he is ready after returning from his own calf strain. Ryan Weathers, recovering from a forearm flexor strain, feels healthy enough for a bullpen role.
Boone is deciding between 10, 11, or 12 pitchers. Gerrit Cole will start Game 1.
Source: ESPN MLB · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing