KANSAS CITY -- Aaron Judge has continued to increase his on-field activity while accompanying the Yankees on their seven-game road trip, and the slugger believes that he could resume swinging a bat shortly.

While the Yankees have visited Baltimore and Kansas City, Judge has been participating in drills, playing catch and standing in at home plate during bullpen sessions to track pitches from Masahiro Tanaka and Domingo German.

"I'm feeling really good," Judge told the YES Network before Sunday's game. "We're progressing the way we want to, and it's a good sign getting a chance to get on the field again and throw a little bit. It feels good to be back -- sort of."

• When all the injured Yankees are due back

Judge said he hopes to be permitted to swing a bat and hit off a tee shortly after the club returns to New York on Monday, saying that clearance could come "hopefully in the next couple of days." Judge was asked if he still feels discomfort in his left oblique, which he strained on April 20.

"No, it feels pretty good," Judge said. "That's what the real test is going to be, swinging. If I'm swinging and I feel no pain, then we'll start moving forward and hopefully I can get back here pretty soon."

When Judge landed on the injured list, the Yankees had a 10-10 record. Since then, they have won 24 of 31 games entering Sunday, moving into first place in the American League East by posting the best record in the Majors over that span.

• Urshela dazzles after stepping up at third base

"The good thing is, it's been fun watching them win, watching these guys go out there and get opportunities that normally they wouldn't get," Judge said. "They're exceeding expectations. A lot of people doubted us when a lot of us were getting hurt. We said from the beginning that the next guy will step up, and they have.

"It's been fun watching these guys. I wish I was out there grinding with them and going through all of this with them, but we've got a special team here. We knew it from Spring Training and to see what these guys are doing right now, it's something special. I can't wait to get back."