The New York Yankees are set to start the postseason on Tuesday, most likely against the Boston Red Sox.
Aaron Judge exited Sept. 16's game with lower leg tightness, but it was later revealed that he had a calf strain and went on the injured list. As more details of his injury surfaced, it was revealed that he had a moderate-grade strain and that the strain is in the soleus muscle. He also received a PPP injection on Monday.
On Tuesday, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the team is planning to be without Judge for the Wild Card Series, but did not rule him out. The odds for Judge to play look slim, but that is not deterring the three-time MVP. According to ESPN's Jorge Castillo, Judge said he intends to play in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series.
"That's what the plan is," Judge said. "Try to get my body ready so I'm ready to go."
Judge had not quite found his swing after he returned from the rib injury before he wound back up on the injured list. However, at the end of the day, he is one of the best hitters of this generation, and his presence in the lineup alone can cause problems for teams.
If Judge is healthy enough to play, it's hard to imagine the Yankees keeping him out of the lineup with the season on the line. However, it's safe to assume he may not be able to play in the field. If Judge has to serve as the designated hitter, Boone will have to really get creative with the lineup.
Ben Rice would have to go to first base, but that would mean the Yankees can't start Paul Goldschmidt against a lefty there or Luis Garcia Jr. Garcia has started nearly every game since he was acquired and is one of the best bats in the lineup. The Yankees would have to find a way to get him in, and it may have to be through second base. That would push Jazz Chisholm Jr. to third base, where Anthony Volpe and Ryan McMahon are options.