The Yankees are planning to activate star slugger Aaron Judge on Friday before that night’s game against the Baltimore Orioles, according to a New York Post report Wednesday.
The reigning American League MVP has been out since tearing a ligament in his right toe June 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the club is closely monitoring Judge’s progress, but added there is no set plan for when he’ll return.
“I wouldn’t rule anything out,” Boone told reporters Wednesday. “We’re taking it day by day, huddling up at the end of the day and seeing what the next steps are.”
Judge has been increasing baseball activities, including live batting practice. He was slated to face rehabbing right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga (elbow) on Wednesday for the second time.
“It sounds like it went well; he got at-bats and everything,” Boone said.
Judge, 31, sustained the injury after slamming his toe against a concrete curb beneath the fence at Dodger Stadium while making a catch in the outfield. The Yankees placed him on the injured list June 6.
The Yankees have struggled without Judge, going 18-23 entering Wednesday’s action.
Judge is hitting .291 with 19 home runs and 40 RBIs in 49 games this season. Last season, he hit an AL-record 62 homers.
–Field Level Media
