Aaron Judge improving, but still no next steps in comeback from toe injury – The Denver Post

Aaron Boone didn’t have any “real updates” on Aaron Judge on Saturday, but the manager said the slugger “is doing a little bit better yesterday and today.”

Boone has been talking to Judge about his injured big right toe on a daily basis, but no next steps have been determined after the Yankees placed their captain on the 10-day injured list on June 7. The stint is retroactive to June 4.

Boone did add that he spoke to Mike Schuk, the team’s director of sports medicine and rehabilitation, “at length” on Saturday about where Judge is at. They also discussed what the next few days could look like.

Boone added that Schuk has been encouraged by Judge’s swelling, which has gone down.

Judge injured his toe when he barged through the fence at Dodger Stadium on June 3. He recently said that he didn’t have a timetable for his return.

WEBER’S OPTIONS

Ryan Weber is “still kind of in limbo” when it comes to a course of action following a Grade 1 UCL strain that landed him on the 60-day IL. He told the Daily News his preference is “the conservative route,” which would include a PRP shot and rehab while avoiding Tommy John surgery.

Weber could always get surgery later on if that plan proves insufficient. He added that he’s still waiting on additional opinions before making a final decision.

While Weber awaits a final decision, he’s been doing what he can in the training room. That’s not much, but laser and heat treatment offer temporary relief.

“It is what it is. Could be worse. Could be better,” Weber said of his injury and options. “It stinks not being able to be active.”

TO REHAB OR NOT?

Boone didn’t have anything new on Harrison Bader (hamstring) on Saturday, as the center fielder is still ramping up baseball activities after his first day of outfield work came on Friday.

The skipper hopes to get Bader into games next week, though there’s been no decision on if those will be major league games or minor league ones. Boone did note the possibility of a “rehab game or two.”

Bader recently noted that the Yankees have resources that could make a rehab assignment unnecessary, as Giancarlo Stanton recently went from the IL to the active roster after just one rehab game following his own hamstring injury. But Boone noted that Stanton isn’t playing the field yet, so he only needed to hit behind the scenes as he recovered. Bader, on the other hand, is essential on defense, and the Yankees may want to see him in action in center before activating him.

“With Giancarlo just doing the DH stuff initially, [I] didn’t necessarily feel that need, and we lean on him a little bit, too,” Boone said. “So yeah, just different circumstances.”

Third baseman Josh Donaldson also played in five total rehab games over two assignments after suffering a hamstring injury.

NEW RULES IMPACT RIVALRY

Yankees-Red Sox games are known for dragging on, but Friday’s contest was the first since the advent of the pitch clock. The result?

Boston’s win took just two hours and 28 minutes. When told of the timing Saturday, Boone reiterated his support for baseball’s new rule.

“The pitch clock’s been a success,” the manager said.

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