Aaron Judge’s injury is bad news — but there are still reasons for Yankees optimism

PHOENIX — The great Aaron Judge hitting the injured list in the final days of the season with a right calf strain is about the most major blow a team can endure. But it says here it isn’t necessarily a death knell for these Yankees. 

Judge isn’t eligible to be activated until game No. 162, and while the Yankees aren’t ruling out a return, it’s hard to imagine he’ll be in game shape even if he does make it back. He certainly didn’t look like Judge the few games back he played. 

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The fair question today becomes: Can they win the pennant without their captain? 

It won’t be easy of course. Call me pollyana, but I say, yes, they can, and it’s not just because October is close to a crapshoot.