Aaron Judge Placed on Injured List with Strained Soleus Muscle

Aaron Judge was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday due to a strained soleus muscle, leaving his postseason status uncertain.

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a strained soleus muscle in his lower calf. The move is retroactive to Thursday, making the eight-time All-Star eligible for activation on September 27 for the regular-season finale. An MRI confirmed the strain after Judge was removed for a pinch hitter in the sixth inning of Wednesday's game against Minnesota due to leg discomfort.

Judge, who has appeared in only 66 games this season, recently returned from a three-month absence caused by a broken rib. In the seven games following that return, he hit 4-for-23 with 13 strikeouts and one extra-base hit. While the three-time AL MVP continues to throw and participate in workouts, he stated he has no definitive timeline for a return to the lineup beyond a hope to play in the postseason.

Manager Aaron Boone declined to speculate on a recovery schedule, noting that Judge's availability depends on how the healing progresses in the coming weeks. The Yankees have posted a 41-25 record in games featuring Judge this year, compared to a 48-39 mark during his absences. Judge noted that the location of this specific strain makes running more difficult than previous injuries he has played through.