The three-time Most Valuable Player, battling a right calf strain that affects his ability to run, had vowed to do all he could to be ready for the Rays after missing the Yankees' two-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox in the Wild Card round.

New York manager Aaron Boone left the decision to the last minute on Saturday morning - hours before game one in the best-of-five series.

Judge has battled multiple injuries this season, missing time with a broken rib before straining his calf on September 16 in a game against the Minnesota Twins.

The fact that the synthetic turf at the Rays' Tropicana Field could be harder on the injury reportedly was a factor in the decision to leave Judge off the series roster.

If the Yankees get past top-seeded division rivals Tampa Bay, Judge could return for the American League Championship Series against either the Cleveland Guardians or Chicago White Sox -- who opened their division series on Saturday.