The New York Yankees’ clubhouse was anything but quiet after their crushing 7-1 defeat to the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night. Emotions ran high, but no one expected the team’s captain, Aaron Judge, to make such a shocking demand. According to multiple sources inside the clubhouse, Judge asked manager Aaron Boone to immediately remove three players from the roster, questioning their commitment and performance after what he described as an “unacceptable showing.”

Judge, who has long been known for his calm leadership and measured words, reportedly lost his composure in the aftermath of the lopsided loss. The Yankees’ offense was stifled almost entirely by Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman, while rookie pitcher Cam Schlittler was shelled early, leaving New York in a hole they could never climb out of. But for Judge, the loss went far beyond just a bad night.

“He doesn’t deserve to be on the field,” Judge allegedly said about one of his struggling teammates, according to those who overheard the confrontation. His frustration boiled over, and he didn’t stop there. Judge pointed to two other players whose performance and attitude he deemed insufficient, insisting that Boone take swift action.

Though the identities of the three players were not officially disclosed, speculation has run rampant among fans and media. Several underperforming members of the Yankees’ bullpen and bottom of the lineup are believed to have been the targets of Judge’s anger. One insider described the scene as “tense and unprecedented,” adding that it was the first time Judge had openly confronted Boone with such a demand in front of others.

Manager Aaron Boone, for his part, reportedly tried to calm the situation, reminding Judge that roster decisions are not made in the heat of the moment. Boone acknowledged Judge’s passion but urged patience and professionalism, especially with the season entering its most crucial stretch. Still, Boone is said to have been visibly shaken by Judge’s unusually harsh words, which carried significant weight coming from the team captain and face of the franchise.

The Yankees have been under increasing pressure as their postseason hopes continue to flicker. A series of injuries, inconsistent pitching, and a stagnant offense have left the team vulnerable. Friday’s loss to a division rival only deepened the frustration, particularly for Judge, who has been carrying much of the offensive load himself in recent weeks.

Social media exploded as soon as the reports surfaced. Some fans applauded Judge for demanding accountability, praising him for showing the leadership the Yankees desperately need. Others, however, criticized the captain for airing grievances in such a blunt manner, warning that public confrontations could divide the locker room.

For now, the Yankees’ front office has remained silent on the matter, and Boone has not addressed the alleged confrontation in his postgame comments. Whether or not Judge’s demands will have any real impact on the roster remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the incident has added yet another layer of drama to an already turbulent season in the Bronx.

The Yankees’ next game against Toronto will now be played under a microscope, with fans and media watching closely to see if Boone makes any lineup changes—or if Judge’s frustration continues to boil over.