Aaron Judge Returns to IL With Right Calf Strain; Postseason Status Uncertain

Aaron Judge is returning to the injured list with a right calf strain after appearing in just seven games following a three-month absence.

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is returning to the injured list due to a right calf strain, an injury sustained during a Wednesday game against the Minnesota Twins. The 34-year-old was removed for a pinch hitter in the sixth inning of that contest after experiencing leg discomfort. The Yankees announced the roster move will be made Saturday and may be backdated to Thursday, which would allow Judge to potentially return for the regular-season finale on Sept. 27. Manager Aaron Boone stated he has no specific timeline for the slugger and could not guarantee his availability for the postseason.

Judge recently returned to the lineup after missing more than three months with a broken rib. In the seven games following that recovery, he went 4-for-23 with 13 strikeouts and one extra-base hit. Through 66 games this season, the three-time AL MVP is batting .241 with 18 home runs and 41 RBIs.

While the Yankees have already clinched a playoff berth, they entered Friday trailing the first-place Tampa Bay Rays by five games in the AL East. In Judge's absence, the New York offense has been led by Ben Rice, who has 38 home runs, and Cody Bellinger, who is hitting .276 with 16 homers and a team-high 25 doubles and 71 RBIs.