Sports · NEWS EXPLAINER
Yankees’ ALDS roster: Judge out, Weathers in, Stanton available to pinch hit
New York’s 26-player roster for the Rays series adds Ryan Weathers and drops Amed Rosario. Aaron Judge remains absent, while Giancarlo Stanton’s place on the roster comes with a narrower playing role.
As of October 3, 2026, the Yankees have named their roster for the best-of-five American League Division Series against Tampa Bay without Aaron Judge. The only change from the group that swept Boston in the Wild Card Series is Ryan Weathers replacing Amed Rosario.
Giancarlo Stanton stays on the roster, but availability needs a second look: MLB reports that manager Aaron Boone considers him a pinch-hitting option, not currently an option to start at designated hitter or play the outfield. A roster listing and a game assignment are different decisions.
The change is Weathers for Rosario
New York added left-hander Ryan Weathers as its 11th pitcher and left utility player Amed Rosario off the ALDS roster, according to the Associated Press. The 26 spots therefore divide into 11 pitchers and 15 position players.
That exchange gives Boone another pitching option while removing one position-player option compared with the Wild Card group. It establishes who is available for this series; it does not promise Weathers a particular inning, workload or appearance. Rosario’s omission is separate from Judge’s continued absence.
Judge’s workouts did not become roster clearance
Judge has not appeared in a game since September 16. Field Level Media reports that he faced live pitching and took part in workouts during the week, while ESPN confirmed Saturday that he would not be included against the Rays.
The roster announcement resolves the immediate selection question. It does not establish a date for his next game. The Yankees advanced without him in the Wild Card round, but that result does not predict how the lineup will perform against Tampa Bay.
Stanton’s listed position is not a promise to start
MLB’s roster page groups Stanton under designated hitter while explaining that Boone does not consider him available at DH or in the outfield. His stated role is a pinch-hitting option from the bench. Those two details should be read together, rather than treating the position label as a starting-lineup announcement.
Stanton was also active during the Wild Card Series but did not appear in either game, the AP reports. Being included makes a player an available roster option; it does not establish that he will enter a particular game or has resumed every usual duty.
What the announcement settles
For readers checking whether New York is getting its familiar lineup back, the useful distinction is between three facts: Judge is not on the ALDS roster, Weathers is the new addition, and Stanton remains included with a limited stated role. None of those facts is a forecast of the series result.
The next game’s confirmed lineup and any subsequent team availability announcement are the records to check for actual deployment. This report explains the October 3 roster decision; it does not claim a later return, a starting assignment or a medical recovery timetable.
