MLBSep 26
Judge uncertainty leaves Yankees juggling wild-card roster decisions
New York heads toward its home series against Boston with unresolved injury questions, a crowded infield and no settled rotation order.
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Judge remains the biggest question
The Yankees will finish with the American League’s second-best record, but their wild-card roster is far from settled. With submissions due Tuesday morning, Aaron Boone must weigh injured hitters, defensive flexibility and pitching depth before facing the Red Sox. Aaron Judge remains the central uncertainty. After missing 84 games with a rib stress fracture, he sustained a calf strain Sept. 16. Boone has indicated New York is preparing to play without its captain, while leaving open the possibility of his return. Judge still hopes to be available for the postseason opener. He received a platelet-poor plasma injection Monday and resumed physical activity, but had not swung a bat as of Friday. His preference is to return in right field rather than at designated hitter. Carrying him solely as a pinch hitter could cost the Yankees a pitching spot.
Returning bats could reshape the infield
Stanton and Grisham are also working toward potential returns. Grisham remained inactive partly to preserve roster flexibility, while Stanton has not appeared in a game since injuring his right calf in late April and has endured further setbacks. Using Stanton at designated hitter would likely push Ben Rice to first base, leaving Luis García Jr. And Paul Goldschmidt on the bench. Stanton could instead provide a pinch-hitting option. George Lombard Jr. Has secured shortstop, but Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s return leaves Anthony Volpe’s assignment unsettled. Volpe could share second-base duties or enter a third-base mix that also includes Ryan McMahon, Amed Rosario and Jose Caballero. The Yankees must balance offensive matchups against reliable defense.
Rotation order still open
Cam Schlittler delivered a 1.95 ERA and 239 strikeouts across 33 starts, giving New York a dependable rotation anchor while Gerrit Cole, Max Fried and Carlos Rodon spent time injured. Even so, the Yankees are considering saving Schlittler for Game 2 on Wednesday, with Fried or Cole taking the opener. That leaves another major decision unresolved as postseason preparations accelerate.
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