New York Yankees star slugger Aaron Judge has battled the injury bug all season long. He played in only 66 games this year, the lowest total of his career, excluding the shortened 2020 season and his first stint in the majors in 2016.
Judge spent much of the 2026 season on the injured list due to a right rib stress fracture. He was placed on the IL again late in the year, as he has been dealing with a right calf strain. The three-time American League MVP last played on Sept. 16, and his status for the AL Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox has been in question.
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With the playoffs set to begin on Tuesday, the rivalry between the Yankees and Red Sox will be renewed in the wild card round. On Monday, New York manager Aaron Boone provided an update on the status of Judge, saying that he may take batting practice to test out his calf.
“Aaron Judge did some indoor hitting and throwing yesterday,” said MLB reporter Bryan Hoch. “He may participate in live BP today. ‘We’ll listen to the trainers and medical, and see where we’re at,’ Aaron Boone said.”
This is possibly a good sign for Yankees fans who have not seen their star right fielder play much throughout the season. In the 66 games he played, Judge posted a slash line of .241/.360/.511 with an .871 OPS, totaling 18 home runs and 41 RBIs.
If Judge is able to go for New York, it would be a big boost to its lineup against the divisional rival Red Sox.
Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series between the Yankees and Red Sox is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET and can be seen on NBC.
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