The New York Yankees are back in the playoffs, but will Aaron Judge join them?
Just after returning from a three-month absence, Judge was placed on the 1o-day injured list with a right calf strain. With October around the corner, Yankees manager Aaron Boone gave a bleak outlook on whether Judge will return, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
When asked if Judge will return for the playoffs, he said, âÂÂI donâÂÂt know.âÂÂâÂÂ
âÂÂI donâÂÂt have a timeline on it,âÂÂâ Boone said. âÂÂI canâÂÂt predict anything. ⦠I mean, we have no idea; weâÂÂre in the early stages. WeâÂÂll just obviously treat it and see what transpires.âÂÂ
âÂÂHopefully, we can have him be an option at some point.âÂÂâÂÂ
For three months, Judge was out with a rib injury. He returned to the lineup on Sept. 8 against the Colorado Rockies.
Article Continues BelowFrom there, Judge went 4-for-23 with 13 strikeouts. Then, Judge experienced leg discomfort during the three-game series against the Minnesota Twins. He last appeared on Wednesday, going 0-for-2 in a 5-4 loss to the Twins.
The Yankees are 89-64 and are leading the American League Wild Card standings. To win the Wild Card, the Magic need six wins with nine games left.
Making it through October without Judge will be a challenge.
âÂÂThe reality is that weâÂÂve had to play a lot of the season this year without him,âÂÂâ Boone said. âÂÂThereâÂÂs no replacing a player as great as Aaron Judge, but you know we have high expectations that donâÂÂt change now. We have a lot of confidence in the people we run out there every day. WeâÂÂre going to match up day in and day out, and the goal doesnâÂÂt change.âÂÂâÂÂ
Judge is batting .241 with 57 hits, 18 home runs, and 41 RBIs.

