New York Yankees stars Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton have received huge news for the AL Wild Card roster.
The New York Yankees are set to begin their Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night, and on the morning of, some key roster decisions were revealed.
Aaron Judge was omitted from the roster as he recovers from a calf strain he suffered on Sept. 16, via The New York Post. Judge made a push to make the team and tried convincing the Yankees to include him, but he was ultimately left off the roster.
Giancarlo Stanton, meanwhile, made the roster.
Stanton has not played since April 24 due to his own calf issue that featured multiple setbacks. He was initially supposed to return in June, but strained a different part of the calf while running the bases during his rehab.
Then, last month, Stanton injured his opposite calf, which, at the time, appeared to rule him out for the remainder of the campaign.
However, the 36-year-old slugger — who boasts an incredible playoff resume —made remarkable progress over the last several weeks and has participated in live batting practice. He also ran the bases on Monday, a clear indication that he was about to make his long-awaited return.
Judge could potentially return if the Yankees are able to beat the Red Sox and advance to the Division Series, but even that is no guarantee.
It hasn't even been two full weeks since Judge first sustained his injury, and given that the injury occurred in his soleus muscle, which is connected to the Achilles tendon, New York is understandably being extra cautious.
Judge had initially been sidelined from June through early 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.
It should also be noted that outfielder Trent Grisham, who had been out since earlier in the month because of a hamstring injury, was included on the Wild Card roster, as well.
The Yankees defeated Boston in the Wild Card Series, 2-1, last year. They were then eliminated by the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALDS.
New York is hoping for a similar result against the Sox this time around, but it is obviously hoping to make a much deeper run into October.
The Yanks can probably defeat the Red Sox sans Judge, but they will certainly need their captain back in the fold if they plan on making it to the World Series.
