Sep 13, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) reacts after striking out in the third inning against the New York Mets at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Aaron Judge’s second-half stretch lasted all of seven games, and now the New York Yankees are facing the very real possibility of being without their superstar slugger for the remainder of their season, regardless of how much longer it lasts.
The Bronx Bombers’ captain has suffered a calf strain, landing him on the 10-day injured list and ending his regular season. Whether or not he can make it back at any point this postseason remains to be seen, but that is the goal for the 34-year-old.
“I’d like to be back by the postseason,” Judge said, adding that he does not know the grade of the strain. “That’s definitely the plan. [It’s the] 10-day IL, so the 10th day is probably the last game of the season. So we’ll see. I’ve got really no answers for you on any timeline or anything like that.”
It’s wishful thinking, especially considering calf strains held out two of New York’s other big baseball stars across for an extended stretch earlier this season. Ex-Yankee Juan Soto missed over a month with a low-grade calf strain, while shortstop Francisco Lindor missed two months.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone did not offer much more insight when asked about Judge’s future.
“It doesn’t matter what grade it is. We have nine games left,” Boone said. “We’re going to get him back, or we’re not. That’s what we’re going to work to do, and we’ll see.”
As things stand, the Yankees’ postseason begins in the American League Wild Card Series on Sept. 29, where they will host the Boston Red Sox in the three-game series for a second consecutive year.
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