Aaron Judge will return to the injured list just seven games after making his way back from a lengthy absence, with the Yankees announcing Friday that their captain has suffered a right calf strain.
Juan Soto powers Mets past Phillies Judge is scheduled to officially land on the 10-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to Thursday. With only nine regular-season games remaining after Friday, the timing leaves his availability for the start of the postseason uncertain.
The earliest Judge can return is Game 162, which falls just before the American League Wild Card Series begins September 29. Whether he will be ready by then remains unclear as the Yankees prepare for the final stretch without their biggest offensive presence.
Judge had only recently returned from a right rib stress fracture that sidelined him for roughly three months. He was activated September 8 and had been working his way back into a regular playing routine.
The Yankees initially limited him to six innings in his first game back, followed by eight innings in his second before giving him a scheduled day off. Judge then played four consecutive games through Monday’s playoff-clinching victory before sitting out Tuesday.
The latest injury occurred Wednesday against Minnesota. Judge experienced tightness in his right calf while playing the field during the first inning and was removed from the game in the sixth inning when Heliot Ramos replaced him as a pinch hitter.
Judge was still searching for his timing at the plate following his long layoff. He went 4-for-23 with a .513 on-base plus slugging percentage and one home run across his seven games after returning.
The Yankees will likely turn to Ramos for increased playing time in right field while Judge recovers.
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Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.