ST. PETERSBURG – Here is what the next step for Aaron Judge to prove he is physically ready should the Yankees advance to the AL Championship Series:
Go be Dax Kilby’s teammate on the Salt River Rafters.
The Arizona Fall League began its schedule Saturday, coinciding with Game 1 of the AL Division Series between the Rays and Yankees. If and when Yankee medical personnel determine Judge is healed enough from his right calf strain, he should go play a few games in the AFL to 1) demonstrate that he is indeed moving around well and 2) get live at-bats against real pitching and not just a Trajekt machine.
There are precedents. In 2024, Jeff McNeil fractured his wrist on Sept. 7. With the Mets advancing through the playoffs, he had enough time to heal to play two games in the AFL to be eligible for the NLCS.
