Yankees Make Key Roster Decisions Before Red Sox Wild Card Series

Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced that right-hander Clarke Schmidt is shut down for the remainder of the 2026 season because of right-biceps neuritis. The same briefing confirmed that Aaron Judge will not be on the 26-man Wild Card roster, and veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt was removed from the lineup in favor of Luis García Jr.. Additionally, Giancarlo Stanton remains under evaluation for a limited role, while Carlos Rodón will be available out of the bullpen rather than as a starter.

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• Clarke Schmidt returned on September 16, 2026, striking out two batters in 0.2 innings against the Minnesota Twins, his only appearance of the season. He had previously undergone Tommy John surgery in the summer of 2025 and spent most of 2026 on the injured list with right-biceps neuritis.

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• Aaron Judge entered the postseason on the injured list with a right calf strain after a brief activation earlier in September, 2026. He previously missed most of the season with a right rib stress fracture (placed on the IL June 2).

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• Paul Goldschmidt has been used primarily against left-handed pitching; his career line against right-hander Sonny Gray is 1-for-26 with eight strikeouts.

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• Giancarlo Stanton has been on the IL since April 24, 2026, after straining one calf and then the other while rehabbing.

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• Carlos Rodón was slated to start a Wild Card game but will instead pitch in relief, joining Will Warren in the bullpen.

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• Clarke Schmidt: 98 career games, 23-24 win–loss record, 3.81 ERA, 386 strikeouts.

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• Aaron Judge (career): .291/.410/.610 slash line, 386 home runs, 871 RBI, three AL MVP awards.

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• Paul Goldschmidt vs. Sonny Gray: 1-for-26, eight strikeouts, one double.

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• 2026 season: Yankees finished 93-68 (top AL Wild Card); Red Sox finished 87-75 (second AL Wild Card).

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• Regarding Judge, Boone said the medical staff determined “he’s not quite there yet,” leading to his exclusion from the Wild Card roster.

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• Jack Curry of YES Network reported that, based on “reading the tea leaves” around the Yankees, Judge’s injury status made his roster omission expected.

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• “From reading the tea leaves around the Yankees about what Judge has done and hasn’t done and what kind of injury he is dealing with, I expected that he wouldn’t be on the roster,” — Boston. Jack Curry, of YES Network first reported the news

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• “We just felt like he’s not quite there yet,” — Aaron Boone, yankees manager

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The loss of Schmidt removes a potential back-end starter, increasing reliance on Max Fried (Game 2) and the bullpen depth that now includes Carlos Rodón. Judge’s absence eliminates a power bat from the lineup, prompting Ben Rice to move into the leadoff spot and Luis García Jr. to start at first base. Goldschmidt’s removal addresses the Red Sox’s right-handed starting pitcher Sonny Gray, against whom Goldschmidt has historically struggled.

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