Aaron Judge took another step forward in his way back to returning to the lineup on Sunday, facing live pitching for the first time since injuring his right big toe on June 3.
The Yankees slugger stepped into the batter’s box for a simulated game against reliever Jonathan Loiasiga (also on the IL) prior to the team’s series finale against the Kansas City Royals.
Judge saw 16 pitches from Loaisiga, fouling off five on five swings. Perhaps more importantly, he did not appear to be favoring his big right toe.
“It’s not going to get any harder than that, facing Jonny Lo as your first live session,” Boone told reporters afterward. “To have Aaron get in there and have to take pitchers where your swing [decisions] are saying no, that’s a good test that he’s go to go through in working his way back. It seemed like a good day all around.”
Loaisiga, who’s been sidelined three months after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur from his right elbow, said he avoided throwing sinkers to Judge to decrease any risk of hitting his injured toe.
“He’s healing and trying to get back as soon as possible,” Loaisiga told reporters. “When you take into consideration how long he hasn’t seen live pitching in an environment like that, I think he looked really good, honestly.”
The next steps for Judge have yet to be determined, per Boone, but it seems like the goal is to continue to build him up through simulated games and possibly a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to the roster.
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