Judge hopes to be ready for playoffs and Stanton could return for Yankees after 5 1/2-month absence

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees slugger Aaron Judge hopes to return from a strained right calf for the playoffs next week and Giancarlo Stanton could be back after a 5 1/2-month absence.New York manager Aaron Boone repeated he's not counting on Judge to play in the AL Wild Card Series opener Tuesday. Judge, sidelined since Sept. 16, said he's trying to do all he can to be in the lineup.“The Bronx is a magical place in October,” Judge said after Wednesday night's 9-2 win over AL East champion Tampa Bay. “I don’t want to miss out on that opportunity.”Judge had a platelet-poor plasma injection Monday. He was sidelined by a fractured rib from May 31 to Sept. 8 and played in just seven games before the latest injury.“Any injection doesn’t feel too good that day, but I feel a lot better today and we’re going to keep making strides,” he said.A three-time AL MVP, Judge is hitting .241 with 18 homers, 41 RBIs and an .871 OPS in 66 games this season, including .174 with one homer and three RBIs since co