The New York Yankees received concerning news just days before the start of the MLB postseason. Aaron Judge, the team's captain and one of its biggest stars, is in danger of missing a potential American League Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox due to a moderate strain in his right calf.
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Yankees Receive Terrible News: Aaron Judge Set to Miss Start of MLB Postseason
Aaron Judge could miss the start of the playoffs due to a right calf injury that complicates the Yankees' postseason plans.
Manager Aaron Boone acknowledged that the organization is preparing to begin the playoffs without its star hitter, although he has not completely ruled out an earlier-than-expected return.
"We're planning on him not being a part of that," Boone explained, adding that because this is the decisive stage of the season, they could slightly accelerate the timeline if Judge shows encouraging progress.
Aaron Judge Faces a Difficult Recovery
Judge was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to September 17, after suffering the injury during the Yankees' series against the Minnesota Twins.
He received a platelet-poor plasma injection Monday and will have limited physical activity over the next few days. According to Boone, the captain will not be able to perform exercises involving running or jumping during the initial stage of his recovery.
Judge himself explained that the injury is affecting the soleus muscle in his right calf, an area that is particularly important for his movements while running and hitting.
"I've dealt with strains before and somehow played through them, but this one was in a different spot that made it a little more difficult," the slugger acknowledged.
Yankees Could Begin the Playoffs Without Their Captain
An injury of this nature typically requires several weeks of recovery, significantly complicating Judge's chances of being available for the start of the postseason.
"If he's able to play, then we'll give him that opportunity," Boone said, leaving open a small possibility that his captain could return.
The injury represents another obstacle in a physically challenging season for Judge, who previously missed much of the summer because of a fractured right rib. Since returning in September, he has appeared in only seven games.
In 66 games this season, Judge is batting .241 with 18 home runs and 41 RBIs.
The Yankees have already secured their place in the playoffs, but their final position could send them to the Wild Card Series. If that scenario becomes a reality, all indications are that New York will have to begin its postseason run without its captain and biggest offensive star.
