Miami (AFP) – Injured New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge was left off the roster for the team’s American League Division Series against the Rays that starts Saturday in Tampa, Florida. The three-time Most Valuable Player, battling a right calf strain that affects his ability to run, had vowed to do all he could to be ready for the Rays after missing the Yankees’ two-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox in the Wild Card round.
New York manager Aaron Boone left the decision to the last minute on Saturday morning — hours before game one in the best-of-five series. Judge has battled multiple injuries this season, missing time with a broken rib before straining his calf on September 16 in a game against the Minnesota Twins.
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The fact the synthetic turf at the Rays’ Tropicana Field could be harder on the injury reportedly was a factor in the decision to leave Judge off the series roster. If the Yankees get past top-seeded division rivals Tampa Bay, Judge could return for the American League Championship Series against either the Cleveland Guardians or Chicago White Sox — who opened their division series on Saturday.
© 2024 AFP
