The Yankees left Minnesota with a series win, a postseason berth and, thankfully, what appears to be only a minor scare involving Aaron Judge.
Normally, taking two of three on the road would be more than enough to call a trip successful. At this point in September, however, the Yankees really needed all three.
New York wrapped up its stop at Target Field with a 5-4 extra-inning loss Wednesday, settling for two wins in the three-game set. That left the Yankees 4.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East, and with the Rays riding a four-game winning streak and winners of eight of their last 10, there is very little room left for missed opportunities.
Still, Minnesota gave the Yankees plenty to talk about.
October Is Official
The biggest moment came Monday night when the Yankees clinched the 61st postseason berth in franchise history with an 8-3 win over the Twins.
It will be their ninth trip to the postseason in the last 10 seasons, an impressive stretch even for an organization where simply making it to October has never been the ultimate goal.
Fittingly, Judge provided the swing everyone had been waiting for just minutes before the Yankees officially punched their ticket.
Judge entered Monday 3-for-20 with 11 strikeouts since returning from the injured list after missing more than three months with a stress fracture in his right rib. Then, in the eighth inning, he launched a three-run home run off A.J. Minter as part of a six-run inning that broke the game open.
It was his first home run since May 24.
Minutes later, Toronto’s loss to Detroit guaranteed New York at least an American League Wild Card spot.
Judge finally went deep, and almost immediately afterward, the Yankees were officially going back to October.
Schmidt Returns, Cabrera Says Goodbye
The trip also marked the long-awaited return of Clarke Schmidt.
Schmidt rejoined the Yankees after undergoing Tommy John surgery last season, taking the mound for the first time since July 3, 2025.
His return gives New York another pitching option at exactly the right time, even if his postseason role remains to be determined. With the rotation already built around Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos RodĂłn and Cam Schlittler, Schmidt could become another valuable piece for a staff preparing for long-inning relief in October.
But his return required a corresponding roster move, and this one hurt.
The Yankees designated Oswaldo Cabrera for assignment.
Cabrera had become one of the most beloved players in the Yankees clubhouse, known as much for his constant positivity and willingness to play anywhere as anything he did on the field.
His season was derailed during the Seattle series in 2025 when he suffered a severe ankle fracture and dislocation, an injury that ultimately prevented him from ever making a full-time return to the major league roster.
Before the Yankees acquired Ryan McMahon at last year’s trade deadline, Cabrera had spent significant time filling the need at third base.
Schmidt’s return is an important one, but it did come with a difficult goodbye.
Then Came the Judge Scare
Two days after the clinch, Yankees fans were holding their breath over Judge all over again.
After receiving a scheduled day off Tuesday, Judge returned to the lineup Wednesday but was removed for Heliot Ramos in the sixth inning.
Considering Judge had only recently returned from the longest injured-list stint of his career, it was hard not to assume the worst.
Fortunately, the update afterward was far less serious: right lower leg tightness.
Judge said he first noticed the issue in the opening inning and attempted to play through it before deciding it was smarter to come out rather than risk making it worse.
The Yankees need Judge healthy for October.
They also need him for what remains of the division race.
Two of Three Wasn’t Enough
The Yankees took two of three, something that would normally be viewed as a successful road series.
But the calendar changes the standard.
With Tampa Bay continuing to win, the Yankees really needed the sweep.
The Rays face Boston this weekend before heading to the Bronx for one final four-game set over a three-day span against New York. They will then finish the regular season in Philadelphia.
That leaves the Yankees needing to keep winning while also hoping Boston can provide a little help before Tampa Bay arrives in New York.
A 4.5-game deficit can still move, particularly with four head-to-head games remaining, but the Yankees no longer control the entire equation.
Minnesota still gave them plenty to celebrate. They secured postseason berth No. 61. Judge finally homered again. Schmidt completed a remarkable return from Tommy John surgery with two strikeouts in .2 innings pitched, and Judge’s latest injury scare appears to be minor.
The Yankees have their ticket to October.
And the division is still within reach.
