After it first appeared as though he would miss this week’s American League Wild Card Series against the Red Sox, Yankees superstar Aaron Judge is now aiming to play, assuming all goes well with his recovery from a calf strain.
Manager Aaron Boone spoke to the media Monday about Judge's status, saying, “We’ll listen to the trainers and medical, and see where we’re at."
Judge did some indoor hitting and throwing Sunday, and Boone said Judge may participate in live BP Monday.
The best-of-three Wild Card Series -- a rematch of last season -- begins at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.
Boone initially revealed that Judge was dealing with a “moderate” strain and that the club was planning for him to not play this week, though he did not rule out the possibility. Judge expressed some displeasure with Boone relaying that information, saying, “I don’t know why he used those words.”
“Boonie is my guy. I’ve always got his back,” Judge said. “I know he makes the right decisions. Obviously as a player, you don’t want to hear that, but that’s out of my control. I’ve got to come back and be ready to go, and that’s what I’m focused on right now.”
The process has since started for Judge to attempt to play this week. After receiving a platelet-poor plasma (PPP) injection in his right calf last Monday, he was scheduled to perform limited activity throughout the week.
“We’re doing everything in our power to speed this process up,” Judge said. “If it happened in May, maybe the timeline is a little different.”
While the actual severity of the injury is unclear, Judge said the strain is in the soleus muscle of his right calf, which he said “is a little more crucial with running and hitting.” Judge said his plan is to play right field if he returns, not just serve as the designated hitter.
Judge has had a tumultuous season, missing 84 games with a rib injury before an early September return. He lasted just seven games before the calf strain popped up. When on the field, the 34-year-old has slashed .241/.360/.511 with 18 home runs.
“My goal is to come back as soon as I can,” Judge said. “If you ask me if I’m going to be back, I’m going to tell you, ‘Yeah.’ I’m doing everything I can every single day I show up here to get back and be ready to go.”