Judge takes BP swings, 'checking another box' toward return

SAN DIEGO -- Aaron Judge was back in the cage alongside his Yankees teammates late on Friday afternoon, spraying line drives around the Petco Park outfield before New York's series opener against the Padres. If you hadn’t tracked his summer, it would have looked like any other game day, when the captain might be preparing to hit second and patrol right field.

Of course, it has been anything but a normal season for Judge, who has been recovering from a fractured right rib sustained in late April.

Friday’s swings were his first on a big league diamond since May 31, which he called “checking another box” as he aims to rejoin the lineup -- potentially on the Yankees’ upcoming homestand.

“I’m mad how long it has taken,” Judge said. “It is what it is. I wish it was real two months ago, but we’re at this point [now]. We’re getting close. I can’t wait to be back out there.”

Most of Judge’s work has occurred behind the scenes. He has been steadily advancing from tee-and-toss to overhand BP, and began performing velocity work before the Yankees left New York on Sunday.

Judge has yet to face live pitching, which could either occur in a live batting practice setting or in a Minor League rehab game. Judge said he’d need to do that “a couple of times, at least, before I get back in a game.”

Manager Aaron Boone said no decision has been made regarding when or if Judge would go on a Minor League rehab assignment.

Judge reiterated Friday that he would prefer to skip a trip to the Minors.

“I don’t see a point,” Judge said. “Why waste at-bats?”

Early on Friday, Judge ran the bases at Petco Park, a workout he wrapped by taking a few fly balls in right field -- including a one-hop throw to third base from medium depth.

“We’re hitting all the baseball stuff,” Judge said. “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.

“ … We’re trying to get the volume up so that we can be in a good spot. Because not doing nothing for three months, man, it feels like an offseason and you’re kind of going back into Spring Training.”

The Yankees return home to open a three-game series against the Rockies on Sept. 8. They follow that series by hosting the Mets on Sept. 11, which promises to be an emotional and memorable day at Yankee Stadium.

Select alumni from the 2001 Yankees team are scheduled to participate in pregame ceremonies, the team announced on Friday.

“If I’m playing or not playing, it’s going to be special,” Judge said. “It’s going to be a big day. That impacted not only a lot of New Yorkers, but the whole world and our whole country. … I don’t know about playing or not playing, but I’ll definitely be there and soaking it all in.”