NEW YORK -- With just over 24 hours until first pitch, Yankees star Aaron Judge participated in batting practice on the field Monday for the first time since suffering a right calf strain Sept. 16, as he works to persuade the team's decision-makers to put him on their wild-card series roster against the Boston Red Sox.

"I've been doing a lot of convincing," Judge said Monday. "I feel like I'm going to keep doing that. But I think the most important thing is just making sure I'm healthy and ready to go for this long stretch. We got another month of baseball to play so I want to be ready for the long run we're going to go on here for this next month. We're all going to be smart, but I think they all know I want to be out there, especially that first game."

Game 1 between the Yankees and Red Sox, a rematch of last year's wild-card series, is scheduled for 8 p.m. Tuesday at Yankee Stadium. The clubs must submit their rosters by 10 a.m. The Yankees have an unusual amount of questions to answer, including whether to carry Giancarlo Stanton and Ryan Weathers on the roster.

But none is bigger than whether to include Judge among the 26 players.

On Wednesday, manager Aaron Boone described Judge's injury as a "moderate grade strain." He admitted that the team was planning as if Judge would not be available for the series, but he did not rule out the possibility and has left the door cracked open in recent days.

Judge, meanwhile, has remained steadfast in saying he intends on being available for the start of the postseason. Obstacles remain. Besides hitting on the field, Judge said his running has been limited to an anti-gravity treadmill. He said he had not run the bases, but he hoped to run outside Monday. While Judge said he wants to return as a right fielder -- he said that would be best for the team -- Boone said he didn't know if that is realistic.

Judge confirmed there's risk in playing through the injury, which he said is a strain in his soleus muscle in the calf. That risk, he acknowledged, includes an Achilles injury.

"Guys take risks every single day," the 34-year-old Judge said. "I know a lot of guys in here are banged up and dealing with stuff so I understand the risks. I got it all."

A year ago, Judge, following a third historic MVP season, occupied his usual spot in right field and batted second in all three games in the Yankees' wild-card series victory over Boston. He recorded two hits in each of the first two games. He went on to log the best postseason of his career, going 13-for-26 with two doubles, a home run, and a 1.273 OPS before the Yankees were eliminated by the Toronto Blue Jays in four games in the American League Division Series.

It was Judge's eighth postseason appearance since making his major league debut in 2016. He has reached the World Series once. The organization remains without a World Series title since winning No. 27 in 2009.

"I think the biggest thing is just understanding how short the time I get to be a Yankee and play this game of baseball is a very short window," Judge said. "Ten years have gone by since I debuted out here. Time flies and I just think about that."

The Yankees amassed 93 wins this season with Judge playing in just 66 games behind a pitching staff that posted the lowest ERA in the majors. He played through a fractured rib for over a month before missing more than three months with the injury. He then suffered the calf strain in his seventh game back after going 4-for-23 with 13 strikeouts, one walk and one home run in 24 plate appearances across those seven games.

Overall, he batted .241 with 18 home runs and an .871 OPS. It was a frustrating regular season. He hopes the postseason will be a different story.

"I'd give anything to be out there," Judge said, "and battle with the guys."