Aaron Judge pushes for roster spot ahead of Yankees' wild-card showdown

Aaron Judge, still recovering from a moderate calf strain, will participate in live batting practice on Monday at Yankee Stadium as he seeks a spot on the Yankees’ AL wild-card roster. He emphasized his desire to be available for the series against the Red Sox and highlighted the importance of staying healthy for the month-long stretch ahead. Coach Aaron Boone confirmed Judge has been hitting indoors and feels better in his back leg, while also using an anti-gravity treadmill for conditioning.

The team faces a dilemma over the risk of a premature return, given the calf’s proximity to the Achilles tendon and the presence of other injured players like Giancarlo Stanton. Judge hopes to play right field to ease a logjam at designated hitter and first base, but his ability to stay in the field for a full game remains uncertain. He reiterated that the window to compete in baseball is short and he wants to maximize his opportunity.