Aaron Judge will miss the New York Yankees’ American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays due to a right calf strain, leaving the Yankees without their captain as the series begins October 3, 2026, at Tropicana Field.
The New York Yankees will begin their American League Division Series without their captain, as Aaron Judge remains sidelined by a right calf strain that threatens his availability for the remainder of October. The team left Judge off its 26-man roster submitted ahead of Game 1 on October 3, 2026.
Judge suffered the injury on September 16 in Minnesota, just seven games after returning from a rib fracture that had sidelined him since May 31. He appeared in only 66 games during the regular season after winning three AL MVP awards.
Workouts in Tampa and Roster Decision Logic
While his teammates swept the Boston Red Sox in the Wild Card Series, outscoring their rivals 18-2 without him, Judge completed simulated at-bats at the Class AAA facility in Somerset. Because the best-of-five format necessitates more pitching depth, the team included southpaw starter Ryan Weathers on the roster for this round.
Manager Aaron Boone explained the caution surrounding the slugger’s recovery ahead of the roster deadline.
The trainers will obviously play a big part in this.
Aaron Boone, Manager, New York Yankees
Boone noted that while Judge participated in live batting practice, the club weighed whether he could safely take the field or run the bases. Under postseason rules, activating Judge and subsequently removing him due to injury would have rendered him ineligible for the American League Championship Series if the Yankees advance. Giancarlo Stanton, the DH, has also returned to the roster, although he did not record an at-bat during the two-game wild card series as he recovers from a long absence caused by two calf injuries.
Artificial Turf and Lineup Adjustments at Tropicana Field
Tropicana Field’s artificial surface presented an additional variable for the Yankees when evaluating Judge’s outfield readiness. Boone acknowledged that the turf played into the team’s deliberations regarding right-field duty.
“It plays into it a little bit. But we’re looking at the days, and so it’s more is he going to be available at some point in this series, potentially, as a player? That’s what we’re kind of weighing and then seeing where he’s at now these last few days, having taken live BP.”
Aaron Boone, Manager, New York Yankees, via Associated Press
Had the Yankees rostered Judge strictly as a designated hitter, it would have created a logjam forcing Luis García Jr. or Ben Rice out of the lineup. Rice batted 5-for-9 with two home runs and six RBIs during the Wild Card sweep. If he can’t play in right field, Ben Rice will likely remain at designated hitter.
Rays Prepare for Yankees Without Their Captain
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash stated that his club prepared under the assumption that the star outfielder would be active.
“I expect him playing right field, hitting third.”
Kevin Cash, Manager, Tampa Bay Rays, via Associated Press
Despite Cash's expectations, the official roster omission leaves the Yankees to play the best-of-five divisional round without their captain. The Rays finished the regular season with a 98-64 record, capturing the AL East crown by four and a half games over New York and winning the regular-season series 7-6.
For Game 1 on October 3 at 6:30 p.m. ET, the Yankees added left-handed starting pitcher Ryan Weathers to the roster to bolster pitching length, replacing infielder Amed Rosario. Gerrit Cole, holding a 3.61 ERA, takes the mound for New York against Rays starter Drew Rasmussen, who posted a 2.67 ERA. Games 1 and 2 at Tropicana Field are scheduled for Saturday and Monday. Wednesday’s Game 3 and Thursday’s Game 4, if needed, will move to Yankee Stadium. Game 5 at Tampa Bay is scheduled for Oct. 10.
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