Yankees playoff roster updates on Judge, Schmidt, Stanton and Grisham
· Yahoo Sports
NEW YORK – This pinstriped guessing game about the Wild Card series roster composition might bleed into Tuesday morning – hours before the best-of-three opener.
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But as of Thursday, Giancarlo Stanton and Trent Grisham were very much in play, Clarke Schmidt was out, and rookie pitcher Carlos Lagrange was in the conversation.
And what about Yankees captain Aaron Judge’s insistence on not being counted out, despite a strained right calf?
“I know he’s doing everything he possible can to be an option for us, and I completely appreciate that,’’ said aron Boone Thursday.
Judge responded Wednesday to Boone’s comments earlier this week about not planning for the defending AL MVP to anchor his first-round playoff lineup.
The captain also took issue with his manager publicly stating Judge’s injury as a “moderate’’ strain.
“He’s the ultimate teammate, the ultimate competitor,’’ said Boone, in response to Judge’s intent to “come back as soon as I can,’’ with the Wild Card series circled.
“I know he’s doing everything he possibly can to be an option for us and I completely appreciate that,’’ said Boone. “Love the player, love the person.
“And when he’s ready…we will make a call of when that is, based on how he’s doing,’’ said Boone, with Judge currently limited to weight room and treadmill activity.
“But again, it’s Thursday,’’ said Boone. “We may not make that call ‘til Tuesday morning.’’
Giancarlo Stanton, Trent Grisham in play
After hitting live at Somerset on Wednesday afternoon, Stanton and Grisham took on-field BP at the Stadium before Thursday's game.
“They’re trending in a good way,’’ said Boone, though he did not speculate on their Wild Card roster inclusion.
“Let's just get through these next few days and see what we have.’’
Stanton hasn’t been in the Yanks’ lineup since April 24, due to the first of three separate calf strains – the last two suffered during rehab exercises.
But it's intriguing to consider Stanton as a looming pinch-hitting threat, given his power presence, postseason track record, and the Red Sox's lefty-heavy pitching staff (Boston is the likely opponent).
Stanton's rhythm and timing, after a five-month absence, might be an issue, though "in a lot of ways he's been hitting all summer,'' Boone said of the slugger's intensive BP work.
Perhaps Stanton becomes an option if Judge isn't (considering Stanton's DH only status), or if the Yanks go with just 11 pitchers instead of 12.
Placed on the IL on Sept. 5, due to a strained right hamstring, the center fielder Grisham - like Stanton - has been running the bases and hitting.
Grisham's presence might impact fellow lefty-hitting outfielder Spencer Jones, but the Yanks are currently thin in the outfield.
Utility player Jose Caballero has started in left and center field the last two games, in preparation for possible postseason work there, if needed.
Clarke Schmidt out, Carlos Lagrange in play
Schmidt’s bid for Wild Card series roster inclusion ended Thursday.
Placed on the 15-day IL due to right biceps neuritis, Schmidt has been shut down and might only be a consideration if the Yanks make a deep October run.
Overall, “the diagnosis is pretty good,’’ said Boone, adding that Schmidt “should have a normal’’ winter buildup before spring training.
Transitioning to a bullpen role down the stretch, Schmidt made just one September appearance – his first since rehabbing from July 2025 Tommy John surgery.
The hard-throwing Lagrange has yet to make his MLB debut, but there’s “definitely a lot of talks’’ lately about his postseason availability, said pitching coach Matt Blake.
Lagrange threw a live BP session Wednesday, but he’s “not really an option’’ for the first round, said Boone, since the right-hander is still building back from a capsular (right shoulder) strain.
Also converted to a relief role from a starter just for the stretch drive, Lagrange might be a choice if the Yanks advance further in October.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees playoff roster updates on Judge, Schmidt, Stanton and Grisham