The New York Yankees submitted a 28-man ALDS roster for the 2026 American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, and Aaron Judge was not included. The move confirms the Yankees will begin the series without their captain and right fielder. Manager Aaron Boone said Judge remains day-to-day with a right calf strain.
Quick Answer: Will Aaron Judge be on the Yankees ALDS roster?
No. Judge is not on the initial 28-man roster submitted to MLB for the ALDS. The Yankees can add him later in the series if he is medically cleared.
Latest official update from MLB.com and ESPN
MLB.com reported on Oct 6 that Aaron Judge was not added to the 2026 ALDS roster. ESPN noted the Yankees held Judge out of the final playoff roster despite progress in on-field work. Both outlets said the club will monitor his recovery daily.
What Yankees manager said about Judge availability for ALDS
Boone said Judge is improving but not ready for Game 1. He added the team must be prepared to win without him. Boone declined to rule out a mid-series addition.
Official Yankees ALDS Roster 2026 vs Tampa Bay Rays
The Yankees carried 13 position players and 15 pitchers. The roster reflects health concerns and a heavy bullpen approach against Tampa Bay.
Position Players: Starters and Bench
| Player | Position | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron Boone | Manager | Active |
| Jasson Dominguez | CF | Starter |
| Anthony Volpe | SS | Starter |
| Gleyber Torres | 2B | Starter |
| DJ LeMahieu | 3B | Starter |
| Giancarlo Stanton | DH | Starter |
| Jake Bauers | 1B | Starter |
| Trent Grisham | LF | Starter |
| Ben Rice | C | Starter |
| Oswaldo Cabrera | INF/OF | Bench |
| Alex Verdugo | OF | Bench |
| Jose Trevino | C | Bench |
| Isiah Kiner-Falefa | INF | Bench |
Starting Pitchers and Bullpen
| Player | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gerrit Cole | Starter | Game 1 |
| Carlos Rodon | Starter | Game 2 |
| Marcus Stroman | Starter | Game 3 |
| Clarke Schmidt | Starter | Game 4 option |
| Clay Holmes | Reliever | Closer |
| Luke Weaver | Reliever | Setup |
| Tommy Kahnle | Reliever | Setup |
| Mike King | Reliever | Middle |
| Jonathan Loaisiga | Reliever | Middle |
| Zack Britton | Reliever | Lefty |
| Wandy Peralta | Reliever | Lefty |
Key omissions and surprise additions
Aaron Judge is the headline omission. The Yankees also left out utility player Oswald Peraza. The surprise addition is Ben Rice at catcher over Austin Wells.
Aaron Judge Injury Update Ahead of ALDS
Judge suffered a right calf strain in late September. The injury limited him in the final week of the regular season.
Injury timeline and recovery progress
Judge was placed on the 10-day IL on Sept 28. He resumed running on Oct 3. He took batting practice on Oct 5 but did not face live pitching.
Will Aaron Judge be on the Yankees ALDS roster? Here’s the latest
He is not on the initial roster. The Yankees said a decision on activation will be made after Game 1. Medical staff are assessing calf response to sprint work.
Judge or no Judge, Yankees will be ready for Rays
Boone emphasized depth. Stanton will DH. Grisham and Dominguez cover the outfield. The pitching staff is built for a short series.
How the Yankees Lineup Changes With or Without Aaron Judge
Without Judge, the Yankees lose 58 home runs from 2025. The lineup drops in right-handed power.
Projected Yankees ALDS lineup vs Rays Game 1
1. Jasson Dominguez CF. 2. Anthony Volpe SS. 3. Gleyber Torres 2B. 4. Giancarlo Stanton DH. 5. Jake Bauers 1B. 6. DJ LeMahieu 3B. 7. Trent Grisham LF. 8. Ben Rice C. 9. Isiah Kiner-Falefa RF.
Impact on offense, protection in lineup, and DH spot
Stanton lacks protection behind him. Opposing pitchers can pitch around Torres. The DH spot is set. Bench options limit late-inning flexibility.
Yankees vs Rays ALDS Preview: Matchups and X-Factors
The series opens Oct 7 in Tampa. The Rays won the season series 8-5.
Probable pitchers for each game
Game 1: Gerrit Cole vs Shane McClanahan. Game 2: Carlos Rodon vs Tyler Glasnow. Game 3: Marcus Stroman vs Taj Bradley. Game 4: TBD.
Rays strengths vs Yankees roster weaknesses
Tampa Bay has speed and bullpen depth. New York is thin in right field defense without Judge. Catcher defense is a question mark.
Bench depth and platoon options
Cabrera provides versatility. Verdugo offers lefty bat. Trevino adds a second catcher.
Roster Rules and ALDS Roster Construction Explained
MLB allows a 28-man roster for the Division Series. The roster is set before Game 1.
28-man roster limits and pitching allocation
Teams must carry at least 13 position players. Pitching allocation is flexible. The Yankees chose 15 pitchers.
How late additions are handled
A player on the initial roster can be replaced due to injury. A player not on the roster can be added if on the 40-man and medically cleared. The Yankees have one IL spot reserved.
Latest News Timeline: Yankees ALDS Roster Moves
Roster news moved quickly in the final 48 hours.
Official roster submission deadline
MLB required submission by 5 p.m. ET on Oct 6. The Yankees confirmed the list shortly after.
Aaron Judge’s availability for Yankees in ALDS vs Rays still uncertain
ESPN reported on Oct 6 that Judge’s availability remains uncertain. The club will not force a return.
FAQ
Is Aaron Judge on the Yankees ALDS roster?
No. He was not on the 28-man roster submitted for the 2026 ALDS.
Who is on the Yankees ALDS roster 2026?
The Yankees carry 13 position players and 15 pitchers, led by Gerrit Cole and Giancarlo Stanton.
When is the Yankees ALDS roster finalized?
The roster was finalized on Oct 6, 2026, before Game 1.
Can the Yankees add Aaron Judge mid-series?
Yes. An injured player can be added after activation, subject to MLB approval.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Is Aaron Judge on the Yankees ALDS roster?
- A: No. Judge was not included on the initial 28-man roster submitted to MLB for the 2026 ALDS.
- Q: Why was Aaron Judge left off the roster?
- A: Manager Aaron Boone said Judge remains day-to-day with a right calf strain and is not ready for Game 1.
- Q: Can the Yankees add Aaron Judge later in the ALDS?
- A: Yes. The Yankees can add Judge to the roster later in the series if he is medically cleared.
- Q: Who is managing the Yankees in the ALDS?
- A: Aaron Boone is the Yankees manager for the 2026 ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Extended Reading
MLB.com injury update on Aaron Judge ahead of ALDS. ESPN playoff story on Yankees ALDS roster and Judge status vs Tampa Bay Rays. Yahoo Sports analysis on Judge’s availability for Yankees in ALDS vs Rays still uncertain.