Yankees Advance, Judge Uncertain
Yankees Eliminate Red Sox in Wild Card Series as Aaron Judge's Status Remains Uncertain
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Key Points
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Aaron Judge had resumed live batting practice and treadmill running after being left off the Yankees’ Wild Card roster, but had not yet begun running the bases. Manager Aaron Boone said his ALDS status was “to be determined.”
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Boston catcher Adley Rutschman, the only Oregon-born and Oregon-raised player in the playoff field, was acquired in a midseason trade and had hit .278 with an .834 OPS, four homers and nine RBIs over his previous 19 games.
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The Red Sox’s young core helped keep the team from looking like a full rebuild, but manager Chad Tracy was described as having lost the locker room late in the season; Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras took pointed shots at Tracy and the organization after the Wild Card Series.
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For Boston, Garrett Crochet’s status was uncertain, while Willson Contreras’s wrist was identified as a more significant injury concern. The Yankees, meanwhile, had averaged nearly one fewer run per game without Judge in the lineup, and a calf strain could limit his usefulness even if he returned.
The Yankees defeated the Red Sox in the Wild Card Series, advancing to the ALDS and eliminating Boston from the playoffs. MLB.com reported that Aaron Judge, sidelined by a calf strain, had resumed live batting practice and treadmill running but remained uncertain for the ALDS. Manager Aaron Boone said Judge's status was "to be determined" as the team awaited medical clearance.
Boston's exit raised immediate questions about leadership and roster direction after a disappointing season. The Red Sox's young core, anchored by midseason acquisition Adley Rutschman—the only Oregon-born player in the playoff field—showed promise but could not sustain a run. Rutschman had hit .278 with an .834 OPS over 19 games after his trade per ESPN, signaling potential for next season.
Judge Races the Clock Before ALDS Begins
Judge's availability shapes the Yankees' postseason ceiling. Without him in the lineup, New York averaged nearly one fewer run per game, a drop that could prove costly in elimination games. His calf strain limits even his return—playing through pain often reduces power and speed. Manager Aaron Boone told reporters the team would not rush him back.
The 34-year-old slugger worked methodically toward clearance. He completed live batting practice and treadmill running but had not yet begun running the bases—a critical test for a calf injury. The Yankees must decide within days whether to activate him for the first ALDS game or hold him for later rounds, balancing his health against playoff momentum.
Boston's Locker Room Fractures as Tracy Era Ends
Manager Chad Tracy lost the Red Sox locker room late in the season, teammates and media observers reported. Pitcher Sonny Gray and catcher Willson Contreras took pointed public shots at Tracy and the organization after the Wild Card loss. Contreras said the team lacked accountability and clear direction down the stretch.
Boston's young roster—headlined by Rutschman, 26—provided hope for the future. Rutschman's midseason acquisition sparked early optimism, producing four homers and nine RBIs in 19 games. But injuries to Gray and Contreras' wrist compounded the team's late-season collapse, leaving questions about whether the core pieces can succeed under new leadership.
Injury Concerns Shadow Yankees and Red Sox
Judge's calf strain represents New York's most visible damage, but deeper issues linger. The Yankees have relied heavily on their star power; losing even his usual production during the playoffs compounds other roster gaps. The team bet its postseason hopes on staying relatively healthy through October.
Boston faced mounting injury questions as well. Gray's status remained unclear for a potential extended playoff run, while Contreras' wrist injury emerged as a more serious concern than initially feared. The Red Sox must decide over the offseason whether to pursue trades or free-agent signings to stabilize the rotation and catching position for 2025.
Nine Players With Oregon Ties Still Chasing a Title
Nine players with Oregon connections remain alive in the postseason, competing across multiple teams. Rutschman, the only Oregon-born and Oregon-raised player in the playoff field, now must decide his future with Boston. Other Oregon-connected players on surviving rosters are pursuing their first championship.
The geographic diversity of these nine players underscores baseball's national reach. From the Yankees to the Braves to the Dodgers, Oregon-tied talent competes at the game's highest level. As the ALDS and NLCS approach, these players will fight for a spot in the World Series.
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