New York Yankees fans definitely need a reality check when it comes to Aaron Judge.
When the New York Yankees released their Wild Card roster on Tuesday morning, one name was conspicuously absent: Aaron Judge.
Judge is recovering from a calf injury he sustained earlier in the month, and he clearly isn't ready to return.
While many Yankees fans understood Judge's absence, others were perturbed over the fact that Aaron Boone left the three-time MVP off the roster.
But really, what did you expect?
Judge injured his calf on Sept. 16. It hasn't even been a full two weeks since then, and while he has taken some live batting practice, he has not run the bases.
Additionally, Judge missed over three months between June and September due to a rib stress fracture. He returned on Sept. 8 and went 4-for-23 with a home run and three RBI over 24 plate appearances before succumbing to the calf strain.
Boone was never going to put him on the Wild Card roster with the 34-year-old obviously not being physically prepared.
Judge tried to do some convincing, but there was never much of a chance for him to actually be present against the Boston Red Sox this week.
And I hate to break it to Yankees fans, but if New York beats the Red Sox, there is also a pretty good chance Judge might not be on the ALDS roster, either.
Judge's injury was in the soleus muscle, which is connected to the Achilles tendon. Ergo, the Yankees are understandably being extra cautious with him.
We don't need to look any further than Giancarlo Stanton to see just how tricky calf injuries can be, and with Judge standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 282 pounds, that's a big muscle that has to heal.
That doesn't necessarily mean that Judge will be a guaranteed no-show in the Division Series, if the Yankees get there. But the Bronx faithful should not be surprised if the Captain still is not ready by then.
Now, if New York reaches the ALCS, you're probably going to have a hard time forcing Judge off the roster, especially considering it's a seven-game series. Worst-case scenario, you sit Judge the first couple of games and then bring him back later in the series, if necessary.
But for now, no one should be shocked over the fact that Judge won't be available in the Wild Card Series, and anyone who did think he would miraculously be in the lineup on Tuesday night needs a bit of a reality check.
