Aaron Judge delivers surprise update before Yankees' playoff run

New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Aaron Judge delivers surprise update before Yankees' playoff run

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Sep 23, 2026 7:29 PM ET

When the New York Yankees placed their superstar right fielder Aaron Judge on the injured list Saturday, it appeared that he would be forced to miss the wild-card series against the Boston Red Sox.

Reports as recent as Tuesday suggested that Judge would not be ready for the series and wouldn't be able to play until the ALDS if New York were to advance.

That status has now gotten a shocking update from none other than Judge himself.

Aaron Judge intends to play in the wild-card series

According to Judge himself, he plans to be ready for Game 1 of the wild-card series on Tuesday.

"That's what the plan is," Judge said to ESPN's Jorge Castillo. "Try to get my body ready so I'm ready to go."

The comments from Judge come even after Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that New York was planning to be without Judge for its first playoff series. Even with the competitor Judge is, it's a bit of a shocking development to hear that Judge is planning to be ready to play in less than a week.

Aaron Judge told ESPN on Wednesday that he intends to be ready for Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series.
“That’s what the plan is,” Judge told ESPN. “Try to get my body ready so I’m ready to go.”
Asked about Judge’s status before Wednesday’s game, manager Aaron Boone…
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) September 23, 2026

Aaron Judge struggled in his return from a hip injury

Judge had just returned from over three months of missed action when he injured his hamstring. Judge suffered a hip injury at the end of May that forced him out of action, and he had struggled to get going since returning.

Judge had collected just four hits in 23 at-bats with one home run and 13 strikeouts. Dating back to his performance in May, Judge has just two home runs in his previous 91 at-bats, one of the longest such streaks of his career.

A non-100% Judge returning to play would be a questionable decision, as it was clear in his recent return that he was not yet himself. If he is healthy, though, Judge elevates New York to the favorites in the AL to reach the World Series.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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