As things stand, neither party involved will reveal the grade of Judge‘s calf strain. That piece of information really isn’t too difficult to determine in today’s medicine and sports science landscape. Silence speaks volumes, though, and Judge, Boone, and the Yankees’ silence is loud enough to be heard all across the Big Apple.

“There’s no way [the Yankees] don’t know the grade [of Judge’s calf strain], it’s scientific data. The doctors don’t withhold it. They just won’t tell us what grade the strain is. If it was Grade 1, they would tell us that, because that’s good news,” Jimmy O’Brien stated on Talkin’ Yanks podcast. “And if it’s Grade 2, that gives three-to-six week return to running. I’ve got to think Judge is out.“

The fact that the Yankees have yet to reveal the extent of Judge’s injury could be taken as confirmation on its own. There are many reasons why the Bronx Bombers would say if it were good news, and many others why they wouldn’t if the results came out discouraging. All things considered, no answer appears to be an answer, and one no one in the Bronx wants to hear, so maybe that’s why New York isn’t putting it out there.

NY Yankees must make a decision on Judge

The timing of Judge’s latest setback couldn’t be any worse. Of course, it was always a possibility when New York decided to activate him off the 60-day IL with no rehab assignment while entering such a crucial stage of the MLB season. Still, the team is being held to a high standard, as made clear when Boone challenged the Judge-less Yankees to sweep the Tampa Bay Rays in the upcoming four-game series that will decide the fate of the AL East division.

As for Judge, he will be sidelined for that series, perhaps still unaware, or unwilling to reveal, how serious his calf strain really is. Whether he will actually be back for the postseason remains uncertain, but the odds aren’t looking too good. As Judge returned from his first right-rib stress fracture, there was a risk of re-injury. There are now two re-injury risks, and the injury in his lower body is one that could have an even more disastrous fate.

“Also, if you rush [Judge] back, it’s an injury [in his] lower leg that leads to Achilles ruptures and that would put him out for a year,” O’Brien concluded. “Are you going to risk running [designated hitter] Judge out there, which means you lose Ben Rice or Luis Garcia? I don’t fully agree [that Judge should play if he can], because there’s also the risk that he can get hurt. I don’t know if he helps the team enough, because [if Judge plays as DH] your second-best hitter has [to be taken out].”

NY Yankees at a crossroads

By all accounts, the Yankees are in a tough spot dealing with Judge’s latest injury. Everything else appears to be taken care of going into the postseason, but the uncertainty around the team’s best player risks throwing everything overboard and essentially making a great season, with a Cy Young Award favorite, all in vain. That’s the way it is in the Bronx: it’s always World-Series-or-bust, and without Judge, the Yankees may not be able to end the 16-year drought.

The fact that the Bronx Bombers are keeping their cards close to the vest may only confirm that they are bluffing. They don’t really have an ace up their sleeve and may only extend their act for as long as they can before eventually folding.

Key takeaways

• Withholding severity details fuels concerns surrounding right fielder Aaron Judge’s status for the postseason.
• A 3-to-6 week return timeline accompanies Grade 2 strains, per Talkin’ Yanks podcast hosts.
• Four-game series against Tampa Bay will decide the AL East division fate.

The manager also provided an update on other injured players. Jazz Chisholm Jr. is “in play, potentially” to be activated on Tuesday, and the Pinstripes are also hopeful of having him back for the Wild Card round.

With little time remaining in the regular season, it would seem wise for the Bronx Bombers not to rush any player back. On the other hand, having already clinched a playoff spot could be beneficial for giving Grisham some playing time on the field.

What happened to Trent Grisham?

Trent Grisham is back on the shelf after tweaking his right hamstring again during a stolen base attempt against San Diego on September 4th. The Yankees officially placed him on the 10-day injured list on September 5th with a moderate Grade 2 strain, making this his second IL stint for the same hamstring issue this season after missing roughly three weeks back in June and July.

He’s been sidelined since then, putting his status up in the air as the regular season winds down and leaving the Yanks hoping he can heal up in time to be a factor in the postseason.

The Yankees’ final stretch

Aaron Boone and the Yankees are heading into the final stretch of the regular season, closing things out with a huge six-game homestand at the Stadium against two division foes: three against the Tampa Bay Rays followed by three with the Baltimore Orioles.

They’re coming off a long road swing that had a bit of everything—sweeping a short two-game set against the Minnesota Twins, but dropping two out of three in Phoenix against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Having already clinched their playoff ticket, these final home games are all about locking up seeding, dialing in the bullpen, and sharpening the bats before the October pressure cooker begins.

“I’d like to be back by the postseason. That’s definitely the plan,” Judge said per MLB insider Bryan Hoch on X. “I got really no answers for you on any timeline or anything like that.”

With only a few days remaining in the regular season, Aaron Boone is analyzing every step to take from here on out. Will he ultimately be able to count on one of his biggest stars when the most decisive stage of the season begins for the Pinstripes?

Another setback for Aaron Judge

Aaron Judge landed back on the 10-day injured list after suffering a right calf strain during Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins. He felt tightness in his lower right leg in the first inning and was ultimately pulled in the sixth, with an MRI on Thursday revealing the strain in his soleus muscle.

It’s a brutal blow for the Yanks given that Judge had literally just returned a week prior from a three-month absence due to a fractured rib, putting his availability for the rest of the regular season and the upcoming postseason run in serious doubt.

What comes next for the Yankees without Judge?

With the regular season winding down, the New York Yankees wrap up their final stretch back at the Bronx, hosting a crucial four-game set against the Tampa Bay Rays before finishing out the schedule with a three-game home series against the Baltimore Orioles. Sitting comfortably at the top of the Wild Card standings, New York is pretty much locked in for October baseball and looking as the prime favorite to hold down the #4 seed.

That setup means they would host the entire best-of-three Wild Card Series right at Yankee Stadium, where they’re currently on track to lock horns with either their archrival Boston Red Sox or whichever contender grabs that last spot—likely a hard-nosed AL Central club like the Cleveland Guardians or Chicago White Sox.

It will be the closest thing to a postseason series before the actual thing, and it may serve as a good opportunity for the Pinstripers to see what they are capable of doing without Aaron Judge in such a high-stakes scenario.

Although Judge and Boone kept Yankees fans concerned ahead of the postseason, the Bronx Bombers could erase those doubts with a strong showing in the four-game series against Tampa Bay. As Boone reminded his team, however, only a sweep will do them any favors.

“Oh yeah, for the division, sure [we need a sweep over the Rays]. We sweep, then it gets interesting,” Boone admitted after Saturday’s night game, per YES Network. “But we can’t sweep before [Sunday’s] game [against the Diamondbacks], so we’ve got to get ready for that game, and hopefully go out and finish what’s been a good trip out west. That’s all we can control right now.”

Judge’s injury could demand multi-week recovery

New York isn’t giving out much information on Judge’s calf strain that landed him on the 10-day injured list (IL) only days after his return from the 60-day IL. Boone has even stated he doesn’t know the grade of Judge’s strain, which, considering how tight-lipped the Yankees remain about Judge’s injury, should be very telling on its own.

Based on the grade of the setback, the Bronx Bombers may have reason to remain confident or slowly lose all hope. In the midst of a pennant race with Tampa Bay, Bellinger all but surrendered to the Rays, though he dropped a World Series warning.

However, the story might be very different if Judge is ruled out for the rest of the season. According to reports, that remains a possibility, especially for as long as Judge’s injury grade remains unknown, or at least undisclosed to the media across MLB.

“Per the Boston Sports Medicine & Research Institute, a first-degree, or mild, calf strain comes with a 1-3-week timeline. A second-degree, or moderate, strain requires 3-6 weeks of rest and recovery before returning to full activity. A third-degree, or severe, strain ‘can take many weeks or months to fully heal.’ So I’d say it matters,” Gary Phillips of NY Daily News wrote on his X account.

Yankees vs Rays: 2026 H2H record

With four games left in the season series, Tampa Bay is 6-3 against New York, while holding a five-game lead in the race for the division. That means the Rays are only one win away from clinching the tiebreaker advantage over the Yankees, limiting Boone’s team to a sweep-or-bust scenario.

The Yankees and Rays are 1-1 at Yankee Stadium in 2026. New York’s win was a 2-0 victory resulting from a Judge two-run, walk-off homer. Clearly, the Yankees would be better off with him in the lineup when the Rays come into town.

If there’s a silver lining and sliver of hope, it is in the fact that Tampa Bay has been swept in a four-game series before this year, and it was also on the road, against the Boston Red Sox. However, that was coming out of the All-Star break, and much has changed since for the now red-hot Rays.

Regardless, anything can happen, and the AL East will be on the line when the Yankees host the Rays on Sept. 22-24 at One East 161st Street in the Bronx.

Apparently, not enough to be convinced that the Yankees may still make it a pennant race with the Rays and come away on top, but he sure is confident that once the postseason arrives, the Bronx Bombers can turn it up a notch. And who knows? Why not win the World Series?

It’s happened before, and the Yankees have already received a good omen from the New York Giants and New York Jets. The signs may be out there. In case they aren’t clear enough, Bellinger’s latest statement might help out even more. The Rays, and frankly, the entire MLB landscape, have been put on notice.

“Yeah, I mean, [the Rays] are playing tremendous baseball. It’s tough to climb up in the standings if they keep winning. Mathematically pretty tough, we have got to keep on rolling,” Bellinger said postgame, via YES Network. “Obviously, the goal is win the division, rest your guys, get those extra off days, that’s always goal No. 1. Ultimately, World Series champions have come out of the Wild Card.”

Decisive Rays-Yankees series

Although Bellinger’s admission after the defeat in Phoenix sounded almost like the Yankees were waving the white flag in the pennant race against the Rays, there is still some baseball left to play, and a couple of very meaningful games on the horizon. New York and Tampa Bay will meet for a four-game series at Yankee Stadium (Sept. 22-24, with a doubleheader on Sept. 22) that could very well decide who wins the American League East division.

If the Boston Red Sox can get a win in the rubber match against the Rays while the Yankees secure the series against the D-Backs, then a sweep by New York against Tampa Bay would put both teams at even-Stevens. A sweep is the only way for the Yankees to get the tiebreaker over the Rays, as they are currently down 3-6 in the season’s head-to-head.

Another Rays win over the Pinstripers will clinch the tiebreaker for them. It’s a tough ask for New York, but not impossible. Obviously, without Judge, the climb is only steeper, but it may be perfect timing for a new miracle in the Bronx.

NY Yankees and TB Rays’ remaining schedule

Judge is dealing with a calf strain, and Boone didn’t sugarcoat the matter. Per Bryan Hoch of MLB, Boone said “It doesn’t matter what grade it is… We’re going to get him back, or we’re not.” That is some serious, insecure diagnosis of Judge’s injury.

Gary Phillips of New York Daily News also reported Judge’s words. Judge said “I’d like to be” back before the playoffs, but trainers haven’t even told Judge or Boone what grade the strain is.

Judge’s season has been injury-plagued

Usually an MVP frontrunner, this year hasn’t been kind to Aaron Judge. A rib injury sidelined him for more than three months. As soon as he came back, fans didn’t even have time to rejoice as he suffered the calf strain that’s bugging him right now and landed him in the 10-day injured list.

Now, neither Boone nor Judge know if he will be playing during the early portions of the postseason. Needless to say, this is as concerning as news can get for the Yankees.

Who could the Yankees face in the first round of the MLB playoffs?

The New York Yankees are most likely to face the Boston Red Sox in the first round of the 2026 MLB postseason. The Yankees hold the top Wild Card spot in the American League per the time of writing.

While a narrow mathematical chance remains to catch the Tampa Bay Bay Rays for the division title, a first-round best-of-three Wild Card Series is the expected outcome. One of the best rivalries in the MLB might be played at high stakes and without Judge.

Per Greg Joyce of the New York Post, Jones clarified everything. Per Joyce, Jones is dealing with a sore left foot, due to the wear-and-tear from playing on turf. But, Jones downplayed it. “It’s no big deal,” Jones said. Hence, it was a precautionary measure.

Jones should be back pretty much immediately. The 25-year-old has played in 80 out 153 games. However, it hasn’t been because of injuries like in this case against the D-Backs, but because of inconsistent play.

Jones’ season has been a hit-and-miss year

Spencer Jones has not played full-time for the New York Yankees because of high strikeout numbers and a minor league demotion earlier in the 2026 MLB season. Jones shows massive raw power, but he struggles to make consistent contact, striking out 96 times in his first 80 games.

In July, the Yankees optioned Jones back to Triple-A to help him adjust his batting approach. The team wanted him to fix his in-zone contact issues before giving him a longer look in the majors, but since has been called back.

Jones still has plenty of upside

Spencer Jones has shown significant raw power and improved production since his July recall. Since returning to the majors on July 22, he has batted .271 with 8 of his 10 home runs, proving his capability to adjust against major league pitching, including strong performance against left-handers.

“Being a manager in Major League Baseball is a huge commitment, very huge commitment,” Beltran told reporters. “I’m not saying that I’m not willing to take that commitment, but right now, at the position where I am today in life, I love to be a dad. I love to be a husband. I love to be involved in the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy in Puerto Rico. Being a manager, you would not be able to do that full-time.”

Beltran’s comments signal that his current priorities lie outside the dugout, leaving the door open for other potential candidates as the Mets evaluate their managerial options for 2027.

In the meantime, the Mets are fighting to avoid a last-place finish in the NL East during the final stretch of the 2026 season, encouraged slightly by positive medical updates regarding outfielder Jared Young.

Reported candidates in the mix for managerial job

Even with Beltran occasionally linked to the opening, President of Baseball Operations David Stearns and team leadership are casting a wide net to find the right fit for the franchise.

Several high-profile candidates have emerged in national reporting:

• Alex Cora: Frequently cited by MLB insiders as a primary target if he becomes available.
• Albert Pujols: The future Hall of Famer has been widely reported as a candidate ownership and David Stearns are eager to speak with.
• David Ross: The former Chicago Cubs manager publicly stated on ESPN that he would be interested in interviewing for the position.
• Rocco Baldelli: The former Minnesota Twins skipper has been identified by national reporters as an experienced candidate who could provide stability.
• Don Mattingly / Rob Thomson: Veteran names linked speculatively depending on how managerial openings unfold across the league this offseason.

With only a week remaining in the regular season, the Mets face a crucial offseason as they look to reshape their leadership and position the franchise for a bounce-back campaign in 2027.

However, Cole’s recent surge on the bump has generated plenty of momentum within the organization. When asked whether the veteran righty would take the ball in the Wild Card round, manager Aaron Boone delivered a resolute answer: “I would expect Gerrit Cole to start, yes.”

Boone faces a compelling rotational dilemma, given the standout performances of his depth chart. Max Fried has anchored his share of gems, while breakout starter Cam Schlittler has delivered a dominant campaign, one that Boone firmly believes warrants American League Cy Young honors.

With Aaron Judge sidelined for the remainder of the regular season, the Yankees are relying heavily on their pitching depth to carry the load into October. That group could get another boost with Ryan Weathers tracking toward a postseason return.

Cole’s rollercoaster season

Cole’s season started with immediate frustration before he ever threw an official pitch. Lingering elbow concerns during Spring Training delayed his season debut, forcing him to miss the opening two months of the championship schedule and putting extra stress on the Yankees‘ starting rotation.

Dominant, double-digit strikeout performances—including a 10-strikeout shutout performance over 6.2 innings against Kansas City and multi-hit gems against Chicago and Atlanta—showed he remains one of the most electric arms in baseball.

A recurring issue throughout Cole’s 2026 campaign has been his home run rate. When Cole misses over the plate, opposing hitters have made him pay, elevating his HR/9 rate above his career averages and making several of his outings much more high-stress than his strikeout numbers would indicate.

The Yankees officially placed Judge on the 10-day injured list retroactively to September 17 due to a right calf strain. Under a best-case scenario, the slugger could rejoin the lineup for the regular-season finale against the Baltimore Orioles on September 27, keeping him in frame to participate in the upcoming postseason.

As teammates like Cody Bellinger weigh in on the loss of their captain, the Bronx Bombers are rallying to maintain their form, steadfast in their pursuit of securing a spot in the World Series.

Despite the blow, the team boasts bright spots across the roster—most notably rookie phenomenon Cam Schlittler, whom manager Aaron Boone touted as a frontrunner for the American League Cy Young Award. Additionally, the pitching staff could get a major boost for October with left-hander Ryan Weathers nearing the final stages of his rehab.

Judge’s replacement while recovering

To fill the void left by Judge, the organization announced across its official media channels that utilityman Max Schuemann has been recalled from Triple-A, and will be available for the Yankees in the remainder of the regular season.

Schuemann has appeared in 41 games for New York this season, posting a .194/.333/.361 slash line with a .694 OPS, 14 runs scored, 17 hits, and 21 strikeouts, providing versatile depth as the club navigates the final week of the regular season.

All eyes now turn to Judge’s recovery, as the Yankees remain single-mindedly focused on a solitary objective: securing a return to the World Series and snapping their long championship drought.

“He came out of it well,” Roberts said after Ohtani hit coach-pitch batting practice on Friday. “I think for me, I’m just really waiting to hear when he’s going to get on the field, let alone take live BP or Trajekt. And he’s not there yet. But everything I’ve heard, it’s been a really productive last three to four to five days. He’s in a good spot.”

Days ago, the Dodgers clinched their spot in the postseason, and now all eyes are on making another trip to the World Series. For this team, having Ohtani available by then could be crucial.

Ohtani wants to return at 100%

Dodgers fans held their breath when Shohei Ohtani hit the 15-day injured list earlier this September after dealing with a pesky combination of right biceps inflammation and knee soreness. The two-way superstar officially went on the shelf on September 10 (backdated to September 8) after lingering discomfort kept him out of multiple lineups.

Fortunately, it looks like a short-term hit rather than a long-term disaster—Ohtani is eligible to return as early as September 23 for the final stretch of the regular season, though he’s putting his pitching program on pause to focus purely on bringing his massive bat back to the DH spot for October.

Dodgers’ final stretch

Before stepping into the October pressure cooker, the Dodgers are closing out the regular season with an all-NL West gauntlet that will test their postseason readiness. They wrap up their current home series against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on September 19 and 20, before staying put in Los Angeles to host a high-stakes three-game clash against the San Diego Padres from September 22 to 24.

Finally, Chavez Ravine gets a breather as LA travels up north to Oracle Park for one last three-game rivalry rematch against the Giants from September 25 to 27. It’s a pure divisional stretch run to fine-tune the roster and tune up the bats before the real drama begins.