Aaron Judge wants to play in the wild-card round — will the Yankees include him on the roster?

Aaron Judge is eager to return to baseball following a series of injuries. However, the Yankees are unsure if they will include him in the wild-card roster. Judge has been sidelined since September due to a right calf strain and a rib stress fracture. He returned to the team on September 8 but struggled in his first few at-bats.

On Monday, Judge participated in light batting practice and a live at-bat against a reserve pitcher. He walked during both at-bats but showed promise with a well-struck ground ball. The Yankees' manager, Aaron Boone, stated that they would continue to assess Judge's condition. While it seems unlikely that Judge would be capable of playing in the playoff series, the team has not ruled out the possibility.

Considering the roster's depth at first base and designated hitter positions, the Yankees may opt to keep Judge on the roster as a designated hitter or pinch hitter. However, they may also want to prioritize other players like Giancarlo Stanton, who has shown he can still perform despite his own injury. Ultimately, the decision to include Judge in the game rests with the Yankees' management, who must weigh the risks of a potential injury against the benefits of having their star player in the lineup.