The New York Yankees will begin their American League Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox without Aaron Judge, while Giancarlo Stanton is returning to the roster after missing more than five months.
Judge was left off New York’s 26-man roster Tuesday after attempting to show the Yankees he was ready to play through the right calf strain that has kept him out since September 16. The eight-time All-Star returned earlier this month after missing 99 days because of a fractured rib before suffering the calf injury in his seventh game back.
Stanton, meanwhile, was activated from the 60-day injured list and is expected to serve primarily as a pinch-hitter against left-handed pitchers. He has not played since April 24, when he injured his right calf. Stanton has 18 home runs and a .926 on-base plus slugging percentage in 48 career postseason games.
Trent Grisham also made the roster despite finishing the regular season on the injured list with a hamstring injury. Ryan Weathers was left off after dealing with a forearm flexor strain.
The Yankees will carry 10 pitchers and 16 position players for the best-of-three series.
Pitchers
David Bednar
Paul Blackburn
Gerrit Cole
Max Fried
Brent Headrick
Carlos Rodón
Cam Schlittler
John Schreiber
Will Warren
Ryan Yarbrough
Position players
Ali Sánchez
Austin Wells
José Caballero
Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Luis García Jr.
Paul Goldschmidt
George Lombard Jr.
Ryan McMahon
Amed Rosario
Anthony Volpe
Cody Bellinger
Trent Grisham
Spencer Jones
Heliot Ramos
Ben Rice
Giancarlo Stanton
Judge finished the regular season with a .301 batting average, 35 home runs and 95 runs batted in despite appearing in only 66 games. The Yankees went 41-25 with him in the lineup and 52-43 without him.
New York opens the Wild Card Series Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Yankee Stadium. Cam Schlittler will start against Payton Tolle.
The winner will advance to the American League Division Series and face the Tampa Bay Rays.
Yankees-Red Sox Wild Card Series schedule
Game 1: Tuesday, September 29
8 p.m. — Yankee Stadium
Cam Schlittler vs. Payton Tolle
Game 2: Wednesday, September 30
8 p.m. — Yankee Stadium
Max Fried vs. Sonny Gray
Game 3: Thursday, October 1, if necessary
8 p.m. — Yankee Stadium
Gerrit Cole vs. Ranger Suárez
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.
