Aaron Boone says leaving Aaron Judge off ALDS roster was the right decision
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, that Aaron Judge would not be on the 26‑man roster for the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Boone said Judge’s right calf strain, sustained in mid‑September, left the slugger not fully ready to handle the volume of an ALDS schedule. “He wanted to be on and was willing to do anything, but I just felt like for us to win a World Series… he needs this week to continue to hit, continue to ramp up the running and moving,” Boone told reporters in the Yankees’ office at Tropicana Field.
The decision follows a brief period of progress for Judge, who has taken live batting practice and begun a running progression but has not yet run the bases. Boone noted that while Judge could have served as a pinch‑hitter, “that would have stripped away the ability to have some really good days and be in a better position five, seven, nine days from now.”
Boone also clarified that the turf at Tropicana Field was not a deciding factor, stating, “If we were at home, he wouldn’t be playing right now… If he would have been on, it would have been in a pinch‑hitting role only.”
New York’s roster adjustments included adding left‑hander Ryan Weathers as an eleventh pitcher and removing utilityman Amed Rosario, who saw limited action in the Wild Card series. Giancarlo Stanton, also recovering from a calf issue, remained on the roster despite not playing.
The Yankees entered the ALDS after sweeping the Boston Red Sox in the Wild Card round without Judge. Boone expressed confidence in the current lineup, saying the team is “set up, in a way, in a good position to win with the guys we’ve got.”
Judge’s season statistics, limited to 66 games, show a .241 batting average, 18 home runs, 41 RBIs and an .871 OPS, with a .174 average, one homer and three RBIs in September. He has not played since Sept. 16.
Boone’s remarks underscore a cautious approach aimed at preserving Judge’s health for a potential return in the American League Championship Series, scheduled to begin Oct. 12, if the Yankees advance past the Rays.
