Aaron Judge Intends to Be Available for AL Wild Card Series Opener

Aaron Judge told ESPN he plans to be ready for Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series next Tuesday at Yankee Stadium following a soleus muscle strain.

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge told ESPN on Wednesday that he intends to be available for Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium next Tuesday. The 34-year-old was placed on the injured list Saturday with a right calf strain, specifically in the soleus muscle, which ended his regular season. Judge received a PPP injection on Monday and is currently awaiting clearance to resume activities involving his leg.

The injury occurred during a 5-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Sept. 16. It was Judge's seventh game back after a three-month absence due to a fractured rib. Since returning from that rib injury without a rehab assignment, the three-time MVP went 4-for-23 with 13 strikeouts and one home run across 24 plate appearances. Throughout 66 games this season, he maintained a .241 batting average with 18 home runs and an .871 OPS.

Manager Aaron Boone stated on Tuesday that the club is currently planning as if Judge will not be part of the wild-card roster, though he did not entirely rule out the possibility. The Yankees averaged 5.12 runs per game and went 41-25 with Judge in the lineup this year, compared to a 49-42 record and 4.15 runs per game without him. New York is expected to face the Boston Red Sox in the opening round of the postseason.