Yankees Prepare for Wild Card Round Without Aaron Judge

Manager Aaron Boone said the team is planning on the injured slugger missing a potential Wild Card Series against Boston.

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is sidelined with a right calf strain, and the club is preparing to open the playoffs without him. Manager Aaron Boone told MLB.com's Bryan Hoch that Judge is unlikely to be available for a Wild Card Series. "We're planning on him not being a part of that," Boone said.

Judge, who is on the injured list and eligible to come back for the regular-season finale, received a PRP injection in the calf during an off day. Boone described the strain as "moderate grade," suggesting the stint will last beyond the minimum.

New York could still skip the Wild Card round, but only under unlikely circumstances. A single Tampa Bay Rays victory over the Yankees this week would give Tampa Bay both the division title and a bye, putting New York into a best-of-three Wild Card Series that appears set to come against the Boston Red Sox.

The head-to-head record offers the Yankees some comfort: they have beaten the Red Sox seven times this season, including four wins in games Judge missed. Advancing without him would set up an American League Division Series meeting with the Rays.