Aaron Judge's availability for Yankees in ALDS vs. Rays still uncertain

Aaron Judge's status for the New York Yankees' American League Division Series matchup with the Tampa Bay Rays is still uncertain, manager Aaron Boone told reporters on Friday.

"We'll see," Boone said when asked about Judge's availability. "He'll be working out [Friday]. He hit again live [Thursday] at Yankee Stadium. He's doing more today over at [Steinbrenner Field in Tampa] and [Tropicana Field]. So we'll probably make those calls later tonight."

Asked if Judge had run the bases during his workouts, Boone said he wasn't sure but knew that Judge had been running.

The Yankees have until 10 a.m. ET Saturday to submit their 26-player roster for Game 1, which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET in Tampa.

Judge hasn't played since suffering a calf injury on Sept. 16 and was placed on the injured list two days later. He was left off the Yankees' roster for their wild-card series versus the Boston Red Sox — though the Yankees didn't miss Judge in their two-game sweep, winning by scores of 9-0 and 9-2 .

One consideration in playing Judge at Tropicana Field is the ballpark's artificial turf. That could preclude him from playing the outfield if he's on the roster.

"It plays into it a little bit," Boone said, via the Associated Press . "But we're looking at the days, and so it's more is he going to be available at some point in this series, potentially, as a player? That's what we're kind of weighing and then seeing where he's at now these last few days, having taken live BP."

Games 1 and 2 at Tropicana Field are scheduled for Saturday and Monday. The series shifts to Yankee Stadium for Game 3 on Wednesday and Game 4, if necessary, on Thursday. Game 5 at Tampa Bay is scheduled for Oct. 10.

The Yankees could decide to have Judge on the ALDS roster even if he's only available to pinch-hit. If he can't play in right field, Ben Rice will likely remain at designated hitter. He batted 5-for-9 with 2 home runs and 6 RBI in the two wild-card games.

However, Rays manager Kevin Cash said he is proceeding as if Judge will be in the Yankees' lineup.

"I expect him playing right field, hitting third," Cash said, via the AP.

Gerrit Cole (3.61 ERA) will be the Yankees' starting pitcher for Game 1, while Drew Rasmussen (2.67 ERA) gets the nod for the Rays.