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Yankees game today comes with a major playoff surprise: Aaron Judge is not on New York’s roster for the American League Division Series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees made the decision Saturday, October 3, as Judge continues recovering from a right calf strain.
New York will face Tampa Bay in Game 1 at Tropicana Field, with first pitch scheduled for 6:38 p.m. The decision keeps Judge sidelined for a second consecutive postseason round, despite his recent progress in running, batting practice and live hitting.
Breaking Yankees Game Today Roster News
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the organization believed leaving Judge off the 26-man roster gave the star slugger the best chance to return at full strength later in the postseason. Boone made the decision after meeting with Judge and Mike Shuck, the team’s director of sports medicine and rehabilitation, following Friday’s workout.
“I obviously decided keeping him off was the best thing,” Boone said, according to ESPN. “I feel like he’s getting close, but I feel like for us to get a version of Aaron back and to win a World Series, this week’s important for him to continue to work towards getting back.”
Judge has not appeared in a game since September 16, when he strained the soleus muscle in his right calf during his seventh game after returning from a fractured rib. He was placed on the injured list three days later and received a platelet-poor plasma injection to support the healing process.
Judge Shows Progress but Needs More Time
The 34-year-old outfielder has made encouraging progress during the past week. He faced live pitching Monday, took batting practice with New York’s Double-A affiliate Wednesday and participated in additional workouts Thursday and Friday.
Judge also hit on the field with his teammates at Tropicana Field before the roster decision. However, he did not run on the field, and the artificial turf was reportedly a factor in the Yankees’ evaluation. Boone indicated that Judge may be ready to take an at-bat, but the team still wants him to build endurance and regain confidence while running.
“I just felt like the best chance for us to get, again, a good version of Aaron was another five, six, seven days of truly building up his running, building up the endurance, getting at-bats, taking batting practice every day,” Boone said.
Giancarlo Stanton Returns to Yankees Playoff Roster
While Judge remains unavailable, the Yankees included Giancarlo Stanton on the ALDS roster. Stanton served as a pinch-hitting option during the wild-card series against the Boston Red Sox but did not receive an at-bat in New York’s two-game sweep.
Stanton has not played in a game since April after dealing with three separate calf strains. His presence gives the Yankees another powerful left-field or designated-hitter option, although his role against Tampa Bay will likely remain limited to pinch-hitting opportunities.
New York’s roster includes 11 pitchers and 15 position players. The only change from the wild-card roster was the replacement of utility player Amed Rosario with left-hander Ryan Weathers.
Ryan Weathers Adds Carefully Managed Pitching Depth
Weathers has not pitched since leaving a start on August 22 with a forearm flexor strain. Boone said the left-hander appears healthy, but the Yankees plan to use him as a restricted, one-inning reliever.
Weathers will not be cleared to pitch on consecutive days. Fortunately for New York, the ALDS schedule includes an off day after Game 1 and another after Game 2, potentially creating favorable opportunities for his limited usage.
- Aaron Judge is not on the ALDS roster.
- Giancarlo Stanton remains available as a pinch hitter.
- Ryan Weathers joins the pitching staff with restrictions.
- Game 1 begins at 6:38 p.m. at Tropicana Field.
What Judge’s Absence Means for New York
The Yankees advanced after overwhelming Boston 18-2 across two wild-card games at Yankee Stadium. Still, Tampa Bay presents a tougher challenge, and Judge’s absence removes one of the most dangerous bats in the lineup.
New York is 54-43 without Judge this season, showing that the club has managed to win without its captain. The Yankees will now rely on strong pitching, timely hitting and clean defense while hoping their star can return if they advance to the American League Championship Series.
Because Judge is not on the roster, he cannot play in the ALDS unless the Yankees make an injury substitution. That means New York must defeat the Rays and move forward before Judge has another opportunity to appear during the 2026 postseason.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aaron Judge playing in the Yankees game today?
No. Aaron Judge is not on the Yankees’ ALDS roster for Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Rays because of his right calf strain.
What time is the Yankees game today?
Game 1 of the ALDS is scheduled for 6:38 p.m. at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Why is Aaron Judge not playing?
Judge is still rebuilding his running endurance after suffering a right calf strain on September 16. The Yankees want him to have more time before returning to game action.
Is Giancarlo Stanton available?
Yes. Stanton is on the Yankees’ playoff roster and is expected to serve primarily as a pinch hitter.
