There isn't really a problem between Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees ... is there?
New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge is sidelined yet again, this time due to a calf strain that he suffered just over a week after returning from a rib stress fracture that sidelined him for over three months.
Judge sustained the injury on Sept. 16, about two weeks before the start of the MLB playoffs. The general expectation is that the three-time MVP will not be available for the Wild Card Series. Aaron Boone said so himself.
Judge, though, has other ideas.
While Boone deemed Judge's calf strain to be "moderate," Judge pushed back, questioning why Boone used those words and that everyone's definition of moderate is different.
Well, you would figure that Boone was just going by what the medical staff told him, right?
Judge then insisted that he is attempting to return for the Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox, which begins on Sept. 29.
Given that calf strains are very tricky (just ask Giancarlo Stanton) and there is a chance for re-injury, you can understand why Boone is ruling him out.
But Judge is a competitor, so he wants to play. That's also understandable.
And that's where the "disconnect" starts and ends.
Everyone wants to embellish the situation and pretend that there is some brewing problem between Judge, Boone and the front office. There isn't.
Judge has missed the majority of the 2026 campaign. Of course he wants to get back out there and play, especially in the playoffs.
It's also entirely possible that Judge feels fine. The day after he sustained the injury, Michael Kay said he saw Judge walking without a limp. But just because Judge feels okay doesn't mean his calf can handle rigorous stress just yet.
Judge is basing this off of how he feels and how badly he wants to get back out on to the field. He isn't thinking about the potential repercussions. Just like a typical hyper-competitive professional athlete.
It's also worth noting that Judge is 34 years old. He might not get many more opportunities to contend for a World Series, so he wants to be a part of this.
Boone? He's taking the more pragmatic, logical approach. He's the manager. That's his job. The last thing he wants is Judge to further injure his calf or potentially tear his Achilles.
Judge strained the soleus muscle in his calf, which is, in fact, connected to the Achilles tendon. Disaster could ensue if he makes the injury worse.
People should be able to comprehend both sides of the equation here. Judge desires to be out there with his team. Boone doesn't want him risking his career.
Both reasons are entirely understandable.
This isn't a case of Judge having a beef with Boone. This is a situation where a superstar player feels okay and wants to play in the postseason.
Let's just leave it at that.
