Aaron Judge’s season effectively ends as Yankees place slugger on injured list

The New York Yankees have placed slugger Aaron Judge on the 10-day injured list with a right calf strain, a move that effectively concludes his regular season campaign. The injury was sustained during a game against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday, where Judge was observed grimacing at the plate. According to Fox Sports, the roster move is backdated to ensure the eligibility timeline aligns with the conclusion of the regular season schedule.

Judge’s absence marks a significant disruption to the Yankees' offensive structure. The 34-year-old has already missed most of the year with a broken rib, resulting in a 66-game season, his lowest total since the 2020 campaign. His performance has also been curtailed by injury, with only 18 home runs this season, a sharp decline from his back-to-back seasons with at least 50.

In the seven games he played prior to this latest setback, Judge recorded one home run and one extra-base hit. The brief return to active duty was cut short by the calf issue, adding another layer of physical uncertainty to a season already defined by his earlier absence.

The Yankees have secured a postseason spot but currently trail the Tampa Bay Rays by 4.5 games in the American League East standings. The club is scheduled to face the Rays in a four-game series in the Bronx next week before wrapping up the regular season against Baltimore.

As things stand, the Yankees are projected to face the Boston Red Sox in the American League wild-card series. A victory would set up a matchup against the Rays in the American League Division Series. However, it remains unclear how Judge’s new injury will impact his availability for these upcoming playoff games.

The placement on the 10-day list suggests Judge may finish the regular season on the sidelines, with his specific return date yet to be confirmed.