The Tampa Bay Rays are preparing for the possibility of facing Aaron Judge when they open their American League Division Series against the New York Yankees.
Judge missed New York’s two-game Wild Card sweep of the Boston Red Sox while recovering from a right calf injury. His potential return adds another layer of uncertainty to a matchup between two familiar division rivals.
Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen was asked about the Yankees captain’s status ahead of the series. His response made it clear that Tampa Bay is not planning around Judge’s absence.
“I think we make the assumption he’s in there until he’s not.”
Rasmussen’s approach reflects the challenge of preparing for a hitter who can change a lineup’s dynamic with one swing. Judge remains one of the Yankees’ most important offensive players, and his presence would give New York another major threat against Tampa Bay’s pitching staff.
The Yankees advanced without their captain, sweeping Boston to secure their place in the Division Series. However, facing the Rays presents a different challenge, especially with Tampa Bay entering the matchup after a strong regular season.
Judge’s availability remains the central question surrounding New York’s lineup. The Yankees have been managing his recovery carefully, and his postseason status will depend on whether he is ready to contribute.
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For Tampa Bay, preparing for both possibilities is part of the job. Rasmussen’s comments suggest the Rays are approaching the series as if Judge will play rather than allowing uncertainty to dictate their preparation.
The Yankees and Rays are set for a best-of-five series, with Tampa Bay holding home-field advantage. Whether Judge returns or not, the Rays know they must be ready for a difficult postseason test.
