The New York Yankees left Aaron Judge off their American League wild-card roster submitted Tuesday morning, ESPN and the New York Post reported, ending a late push by the three-time AL MVP to play through a right calf strain against the Boston Red Sox.

Judge had not appeared since straining the calf September 16 — his seventh game back after a long absence with a fractured rib. On Monday night he took live batting practice at Yankee Stadium, including swings against teammates, and drove a ball to left-center, hoping to talk his way onto the 26-man list. Club decision-makers still chose caution: without on-field running work, a return as a right fielder was not realistic, and Giancarlo Stanton is already earmarked for the primary pinch-hit bat after activation from the 60-day injured list.

Stanton, who has not played since April after multiple calf setbacks, and outfielder Trent Grisham (hamstring) both made the roster. Left-hander Ryan Weathers, also building back from a forearm flexor strain, was left off after throwing live BP Monday — a move that may keep him fresher if New York reaches the Division Series. The Yankees will carry 16 position players and 10 pitchers for the best-of-three, an unusual postseason balance that gives manager Aaron Boone more bench flexibility against Boston’s left-handed arms.

Judge remains a candidate to rejoin the roster if the Yankees advance to the ALDS against Tampa Bay, with Game 1 scheduled Saturday at Tropicana Field. For the wild-card series that opens Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium, New York will try to win two of three without its captain. Fans should check the official lineup card about 90 minutes before first pitch and national TV/stream listings on MLB.com and the Yankees’ broadcast partners.

ESPN and the New York Post agree Judge is off the wild-card roster after the Tuesday morning submission. Whether New York can extend the series far enough for a Division Series return is the next open question — and depends first on beating Boston without him.