The New York Yankees may have a Judge-sized hole in their lineup for the postseason.
Aaron Judge had a platelet-poor plasma injection into his right calf during the teams off day on Monday following its return from Arizona, manager Aaron Boone said. The injection puts his status for the postseason in doubt.
“Were planning on him not being a part of that, but were also at [that] time of the year, you hear all the time with injuries, you give ranges two to four weeks, four to six weeks,” Boone said.
“The range is for a reason, and were at a point of the year where obviously we push it a little bit if that was in play, but thats a week away. Im not expecting it, but Im not ruling it out either.”
After just seven games following his return from a rib injury that kept him out of the lineup for three months, Judge was placed back on the injured list with a calf strain last week. He is eligible to be activated on the final day of the regular season in the Yankees series against the Baltimore Orioles, but an activation appears unlikely.
Judge injured his calf in the Yankees final game of their series against the on Wednesday. He was pinch-hit for in the sixth inning and said after the game that the move was precautionary.
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Boone said symptoms persisted, and an MRI revealed the strain.
While Judge might not have been hitting like himself in his seven games back, going 4 for 23 with one home run and 13 strikeouts, his presence in the lineup was a boost. Even when the three-time AL MVP isnt hitting, Judges presence in the lineup takes pressure off other hitters.
With Judge in the lineup, the Yankees are 41-25, while they are 48-41 without him. While the Yankees managed to remain above .500 without Judge in the lineup, their offense cratered in his absence. The teams pitching staff, and their 3.22 ERA have carried the load without the eight-time All-Star.
In 66 games this season, Judge is hitting .241 with 18 home runs and 41 RBI.
The Yankees are likely to play the in the Wild Card series for the second straight season at home in the Bronx. While the Yankees would love to have Judge in the lineup, Boone said the expectation doesnt change.
“Weve played much of the year without him and, for the most part, weve done a pretty good job,” Boone said. “So guys are used to it. Obviously, you always want your best player in the mix, but we understand weve got a job to do and an expectation to win. I think that expectation doesnt change with or without him. Were expecting to go into the series and know we can beat anyone when we play our game.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
