Judge, Stanton race to return as Yankees enter playoffs depleted
Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are both sidelined with injuries heading into the AL Wild Card Series against Boston starting Tuesday.
What to know
- Aaron Judge (right calf strain since Sept. 16) and Giancarlo Stanton (bilateral calf strains, out since April 24) are both racing to return for the AL Wild Card Series starting Tuesday against Boston.
- Manager Aaron Boone is not counting on Judge for the series opener and expects Stanton, if available at all, only as a pinch-hitter.
- Judge received a PRP injection Monday and says he feels better, but Boone's cautious stance reflects ongoing uncertainty about both stars' readiness.
- Stanton showed signs of progress Wednesday, homering in a minor league rehab game, but his extensive injury history and 5½-month absence make his availability a long shot.
“We are going to listen to the body and see how he heals. If he is in a position to do that, obviously we are going to want him.”
Aaron Boone, Yankees manager · Philadelphia Inquirer / AP ↗ · Sep 22
Aaron Judge Yankees slugger, three-time AL MVP
Giancarlo Stanton Yankees slugger, former NL MVP
Aaron Boone Yankees manager
Trent Grisham Yankees center fielder
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts
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Boone not counting on Judge for Wild Card Series opener
Manager Aaron Boone reiterated he is not planning to have Judge available for Tuesday's AL Wild Card Series opener against Boston, though he said nothing has been ruled out. Judge acknowledged he does not want to hear that but understands it is out of his control.
“Obviously as a player, you don't want to hear that but that's out of my control.”
— Aaron Judge -
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Judge hopes to be ready for playoffs and Stanton could return for Yankees after 5 1/2-month absence | MLB https://www. rawchili.com/mlb/812870/ # AthleteInjuries # Baseball # MajorLeagueBaseballPlayoffs # MajorLeagueBaseballPostseason # MinorLeagueBaseball # MLB # MLBBaseball # MLBPlayoffs # MLBPostseason # MLBWorldSeries # Sports #…
1 more of the top 2 · 4 posts in this stretch
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Stanton, Grisham take steps toward rejoining Yankees https://www. espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/500165 09/stanton-grisham-take-steps-rejoining-yankees?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub Posted into MLB @ mlb-espn
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Stanton faces pitchers in minor league rehab; homers — Stanton faced pitchers Wednesday at Double-A Somerset and homered while taking six or seven at-bats. Grisham also ran the bases in a rehab appearance. Manager Aaron Boone said both are on the "outskirts of the conversation" for playoff availability.
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Judge receives platelet-poor plasma injection — Judge underwent a PRP injection Monday to treat his calf strain, saying he felt better the next day and is trying to do all he can to return for the postseason.
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Judge strained right calf, Schmidt returns from Tommy John — Judge suffered a right calf strain after playing just seven games back from his rib injury. Right-hander Clarke Schmidt returned from Tommy John surgery in July 2025 but remains sidelined by right biceps cramps.
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Grisham strained right hamstring — Center fielder Trent Grisham was sidelined by a right hamstring strain.
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Judge sidelined with fractured rib — Aaron Judge suffered a fractured rib that kept him out until Sept. 8.
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Stanton's season ends with calf strains — Giancarlo Stanton suffered strained calf muscles in both legs and has not played since.
Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet
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2 outlets Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton could return for the playoffs after a 5 1/2-month absence
first by Yahoo Sports, 8h ago · also Philadelphia Inquirer
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