Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge took a much-anticipated step forward in his recovery from a broken right rib on Friday, playing catch and running in New York.
Scans on the three-time American League MVP on Aug. 5 revealed enough healing to clear him for light workout activity, including outdoor running and upper-body resistance training. He has not played in a game since May 31.
“Just part of the ramp-up to baseball activity,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said before Saturday’s game in Toronto of Judge’s training. “Hopefully he’ll continue to progress through this week. We’ll see what else gets introduced.”
Boone didn’t know when Judge might be ready to rejoin the Yankees. Judge has said that he intends to return this season.
“We expect him back, but we’re in the early stages of baseball activity,” Boone said. “Hopefully things continue to go well.”
Judge, 34, has a .248 average with 17 home runs, 38 RBIs and a .907 OPS in 34 games this season.
Judge believes he sustained the injury on a diving attempt at a catch in Houston on April 26. He was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 5 (retroactive to June 2) and was moved to the 60-day injured list on July 18.
The Yankees’ record in Judge’s absence is 32-31. The lineup has a .636 OPS since the All-Star break, the second worst in MLB.
