Yankees' Aaron Judge Provides Injury Update, Talks Status for Red Sox Series in 2026 MLB Playoffs

New York Yankees fans are anxiously waiting to see whether Aaron Judge will be available for the start of the playoffs on Tuesday, but the slugger didn't have an answer on Monday.

"I think a lot of things. I don't make those decisions," Judge told reporters. "We'll see how today goes and we'll have a better answer for you at the end of this."

Judge added that he's "feeling great" ahead of the series against the Boston Red Sox.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone was likewise uncertain of Judge's status for Game 1 against the Red Sox.

"I don't know. We'll continue to evaluate and I'll listen to trainers and medical and see where we're at," Boone told reporters.

Judge missed the majority of the regular season because of a rib injury, but was able to return earlier this month. His return lasted just seven games, as he suffered a right calf strain and landed on the injured list to end the regular season.

While Judge said that he's feeling good, he added that he has not yet run the bases, a major step in returning from a lower-body injury.

Boone implied last week that Judge would not be available for the wild-card series against the Red Sox, saying that the Yankees are "planning on him not being a part of that" and adding that Judge has a "moderate" calf strain.

Judge didn't seem to agree with that notion, though.

"I don't know why he used those words," Judge told reporters.

In the seven games following his return, Judge hit just .174/.208/.304 with one homer and 13 strikeouts in 24 plate appearances. While he's still clearly shaking off some rust, the Yankees would be in a much better position to beat the Red Sox if he's able to play.

Whether New York will have its star in Game 1 on Tuesday remains to be seen.