Judge Hopes for Yankees Playoff Return

Aaron Judge said he hopes to return from a strained right calf for the New York Yankees' American League Wild Card series after taking a platelet-poor plasma injection Monday, even as manager Aaron Boone has repeated he is not counting on Judge for the opener. Speaking after Wednesday night's 9-2 win over Tampa Bay, Judge told the Associated Press he is trying to do everything he can to be in the lineup when October starts in the Bronx.

That hope-versus-caution split is the board. Soft fantasy note only: none of this locks Judge into Game 1. Boone called the strain moderate and said the club will listen to how the calf heals. New York is likely to host Boston in a best-of-three Wild Card set starting Tuesday, with all three games at Yankee Stadium if seeding holds.

Judge has already lived a lost year inside a star season. A fractured rib kept him out from May 31 to Sept. 8. He played just seven games before the calf strain on Sept. 16. He is hitting .241 with 18 homers, 41 RBIs and an .871 OPS in 66 games, including .174 with one homer and three RBIs since the rib return.

"The Bronx is a magical place in October," Judge said. "I don't want to miss out on that opportunity." Boone answered that if Judge is in position to play, the Yankees will want him, without ruling anything out.

Yankees fans already watched the lineup lean on Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s return and Anthony Volpe's third-base looks. Judge's bat is still the October swing New York wants in the middle of a short series. The calendar is the enemy. A moderate calf does not clear on hope alone.

Boone's Tuesday comment that he was not planning on Judge for next week's opener landed wrong for a captain. Judge said that is out of his control. The only control left is the training room and the next few days of strides after the injection.

October in the Bronx without Judge is a different script. October with a limited Judge is still a script fans will take. The Wild Card opener is the first checkpoint. Listen to Boone's availability, then watch whether Judge is even in the dugout stretch.

For a three-time AL MVP who has already eaten two long absences this year, every healthy swing between now and Tuesday is inventory. Fans should want the truth more than the vibe. The Yankees need the version of Judge that can still wreck a short series, not the version that reinjures on the first hard turn.

Yankees board

Judge: strained right calf since Sep 16. PPP injection Monday. Hopes for Wild Card. Boone not counting on Game 1.

Line: .241, 18 HR, 41 RBI, .871 OPS in 66 games. Seven games between rib return and calf strain.

Series: likely AL Wild Card vs Boston, Yankee Stadium, starting Tuesday.

Fan closer

Judge wants October in the Bronx. Believe him, then wait for Boone's real availability before you spend the leadoff fantasy of a full series.