Aaron Judge takes on-field batting practice for first time since May 31, makes further progress toward return

The New York Yankees have 21 games and just over three weeks remaining on their regular-season schedule. And Aaron Judge is moving closer to a return.

Judge took batting practice on the field for the first time since May 31 and a subsequent trip to the injured list with a stress fracture in his right rib.

However, the reigning American League MVP was quick to point out that he’s taken batting practice and hit off high velocity pitching machines indoors since being allowed to resume baseball activities.

“Checking all the boxes. That’s all it is at this point,” Judge told reporters, including the New York Daily News’ Gary Phillips.

In addition to taking batting practice, Judge ran the bases and worked in the outfield at Petco Park before Friday’s matchup with the San Diego Padres. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he expected Judge to engage in “full” baseball activities during the coming week.

“We’re hitting all the baseball stuff,” Judge said, via MLB.com. “Throwing to bases, throwing, running the bases. Hitting, getting on the field, moving around. I think [we need to] face some live pitching and then I’ll get back out there.”

Boone added that it was possible that the star slugger could be activated during the Yankees’ upcoming six-game homestand beginning Sept. 8. (That would include playing the New York Mets on the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.) But he wants Judge to face live pitching first.

That’s where Judge and his manager have a slight disagreement. The Yankees might prefer that Judge faces live pitching on a minor-league rehab assignment. However, Judge would rather get right back in the lineup instead of tune up in the minors.

“I don’t see a point,” Judge said, via The Athletic. “Why waste at-bats? They haven’t told me they wanted me to do one, so we’ll see.”

Before going on the injured list, Judge registered a slash line of .248/.375/.533 with 17 home runs and 38 RBI in 59 games.

As could be expected, the Yankees’ offense has suffered without Judge in the lineup. Prior to his IL stint, they scored 305 runs, ranking fourth in MLB. Since his injury, the Yankees have scored 332 runs. Their 637 total runs rank 18th in MLB, while their .234 team batting average is third-worst in the American League and their .720 OPS ranks 15th in the majors.