Yankees' difficult Aaron Judge decision felt inevitable as ALDS roster news drops

For the second consecutive round, the heartbeat of the Yankees is merely along for the ride. After injuring his calf during the final two weeks of the season ("Moderate"? You decide.), Aaron Judge pushed to play in the Wild Card round vs. the Boston Red Sox, but ultimately bowed out. His teammates picked up the slack; George Lombard Jr. and Spencer Jones were both essential, as the Yankees bashed the Sox to the tune of 18-2 in two games.

The shorter series led the Yankees to carry a Wild Card record low 10 pitchers and 16 position players. This week's best-of-five with the Tampa Bay Rays will be a different story, with one or two more pitchers necessary to cover the action.

Though Judge pushed once again - and reportedly looked more comfortable in batting practice on Friday - the turf at Tropicana Field still presented a challenge too harsh for his tender leg, and his running work hasn't matched up with his hitting prep.

Judge will, again, be off the roster, while Giancarlo Stanton will be carried once again.

Who will lose their spot on Yankees' ALDS roster vs. Rays?

Expect a full roster announcement soon, but Ryan Weathers and Tim Hill are among the names in play who weren't carried on the ALDS roster (EDIT: Weathers is in, per Joel Sherman). Given the need to expand their pitching staff, not including a hobbled Judge, only to sit him for the two games in Tampa, is unsurprising. Stanton will continue to be the lone bat they're willing to fire in a clutch scenario, but otherwise stay away from.

Even without Judge, one or two Yankees who were carried for the Wild Card will be snubbed for the ensuing round. It might be Ryan Yarbrough, a long man who could be shirked in favor of a short reliever, but it'll likely be a member of the offensive overflow.

UPDATE: The full roster is here - Weathers on, Amed Rosario off. 11 pitchers, 15 position players. Very limited changes.

Brian Cashman's Yankees roster made it so Judge is either fitting in by playing right field or forcing one of Ben Rice/Luis Garcia Jr. out of the lineup. That unfeasible reality likely contributed to the Yankees staying away from Judge for another round as well. His long-term health demands the Yankees be prudent here. So does their short-term success.

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