Aaron Judge to take batting practice, ‘getting real close’

Aaron Judge is getting closer to being able to hit for the New York Yankees.

Judge was activated from the DL on Friday despite not being able to hit for the team yet. The slugger will take batting practice on Sunday and is “getting real close,” according to Yankees manager Aaron Boone.

Judge will take BP today. Boone said Judge is “getting real close.” But he wouldn’t divulge specific timeline for Judge’s return as a hitter. Boone said it’s possible Judge could be full time player at some point in Red Sox series.

— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) September 16, 2018

Judge got hurt when he was hit by a pitch on the hand on July 26. The initial recovery timetable was projected to be around three weeks, but Judge is getting closer to two months. He is able to pinch run and play defense in the meantime.

The 26-year-old is batting .285 with a .947 OPS this season. The Yankees acquired former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen to help provide outfield depth while Judge was rehabbing. McCutchen has an .884 OPS in 13 games with the Yanks.