Aaron Judge is not on the active roster for the series against the Rays

Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Aaron Judge is not on the active roster for the series against the Rays
Credit: Bleacher Report

Bad news in the Bronx.

While Yankees fans were no doubt hoping to count on Aaron Judge for the division series, we've just learned that won't be possible.

The Yankees have announced their 26-man roster for the series against the Rays, and the captain isn't on it.

It's the same roster as against Boston, except that the team will go with 11 pitchers instead of 10. Ryan Weathers replaces Amed Rosario.

If the Yankees change their minds, they can add him to the Division Series roster if another player gets injured.

Any player who gives up his spot to him would be unable to play for the remainder of the series and would not be eligible for a potential American League Championship Series roster.

It's worth noting that Judge has resumed hitting, but he hasn't yet been able to run the bases or practice in the outfield.

That's not ideal. And it likely explains his absence.

Right now, the Yankees need a right fielder, not a DH or even a pinch hitter.

Ben Rice, Paul Goldschmidt, and Luis Garcia are all playing first base and serving as the designated hitter. Giancarlo Stanton is there just as a bench player who can get a hit once a game.

Adding Judge—who's definitely not at 100% and can't play defense—wouldn't have been responsible in a lineup like this.

In any case, based on standard projections, his calf tear probably isn't close to healing yet either.

Putting him in the lineup would have been a mistake… even though we know he's desperate to get back in the game as soon as possible. But the Yankees need to protect him from himself.

Note that the topic of the Yankees' No. 99 was discussed in our most recent episode of the Passion MLB podcast.

Created by humans, assisted by AI.

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