The stage is set for this Saturday for the New York Yankees to play the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the ALDS. However, the question remains: what will happen with Aaron Judge?
The Yankee slugger was not on the roster for the Wild Card series against the Boston Red Sox due to a recent calf strain. It remains uncertain whether he will play.
On Friday, Judge took part in batting practice. Nevertheless, some are unsure whether Judge being in the lineup will make a difference. One of those is longtime MLB analyst and writer Ken Rosenthal.
He shared on the Foul Territory podcast that Judge simply being at the plate may not be satisfactory enough.
“I just don't know that the idea of him standing in the box and being intimidating is enough,” Rosenthal said.
Article Continues Below"I just don't know that the idea of him standing in the box and being intimidating is enough."@Ken_Rosenthal believes you need a healthy Aaron Judge to really be confident about including him on the roster. pic.twitter.com/yadtuxVRDF
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) October 2, 2026
The Yankees dominated the Boston Red Sox in two straight games in the Wild Card series. As for Judge, it has been a roller coaster season. He was out for three months at the beginning of the year due to a rib stress fracture. Then Judge returned in September before being sidelined with a calf strain.
Despite his on-again, off-again status, the Yankees soldiered their way to the playoffs for the 9th time in 10 years.
However, the Yankees enter the series with a strong starting rotation and a deep bullpen, which gives them an edge in the best-of-five series. Altogether, Judge batted .241 with 57 hits, 18 home runs, and 41 RBIs.
Game 1 is scheduled for Saturday at Tropicana Field in Tampa at 5:30 pm CST/6:30 pm EST.