Aaron Judge hopes to be ready for playoffs, Giancarlo Stanton could return for Yankees after lengthy absence

New York manager Aaron Boone repeated he's not counting on Judge to play in the AL Wild Card Series opener. Judge, sidelined since Sept. 16, said he's trying to do all he can to be in the lineup.

"The Bronx is a magical place in October," Judge said after a 9-2 win over AL East champion Tampa Bay. "I don't want to miss out on that opportunity."

Judge had a platelet-poor plasma injection. He was sidelined by a fractured rib from May 31 to Sept. 8 and played in just seven games before the latest injury.