Aaron Judge takes on-field batting practice, but not ready to talk return date – The Denver Post

DENVER — Aaron Judge took a step in the right direction on Friday, testing his right big toe with some on-field batting practice at Coors Field.

Judge, who has been out since tearing a ligament in his toe on June 3, said he didn’t feel limited “at all” while swinging. The outfielder, who is using orthotic insoles, also did some running, though not at full speed.

“I really wouldn’t say pain,” Judge said when asked if he felt any while hitting. “I’d say we’re getting better every single day. Like it’s not healed. So obviously, it is what it is, but we’re progressing every single day.”

While Judge seemed happy with his BP session, he did not want to talk about possible target dates for his return to a Yankees lineup that has missed him.

“I’m just trying to get closer every single day,” he said. “When I’m out there, you guys will see me out there.”

Aaron Boone, meanwhile, had some fun when asked if there’s “a shot” Judge could return before the end of July.

“Sure. I think there’s a shot,” Boone said before looking into a YES Network camera. “Now, is that going to be Aaron Boone said that he thinks he’ll be back in July? That’s not what I said.

“Yes, there’s a shot. But that’s all. I was answering a question. There’s a shot that could happen, but I’m not going to put a timeframe on this. He’s doing well, and we’re encouraged by what we’re seeing. He’ll be ready when he’s ready.”

Boone also said he was “encouraged” by Judge’s hitting and running, but he wasn’t thinking about how many rehab games the slugger will need just yet. The manager said that decision will be made once Judge is ready for games.

“The biggest step will be when I get a chance to be on the field and I’m in games,” Judge said. “That’s gonna be the real test for me.”

Boone and Judge also noted that the latter needs to build up his stamina and endurance, a process that will continue even after he returns.

“Once we get him back, we’ll probably have to bring that along a little bit slowly,” Boone said, “but I’ve been encouraged that he’s been running and hitting and moving in a good direction.”

Added Judge: “We’re slowly progressing to where we need to be. Now it’s just about getting reps and maybe the endurance and stamina. Being off of it for five weeks is tough.”

CASEY JOINS THE FRAY

Sean Casey made his debut as the Yankees’ new hitting coach on Friday after the team fired Dillon Lawson before the All-Star break.

Boone, a teammate of Casey’s in Cincinnati, first felt the former first baseman could be a coach when they played together. Close friends, Boone said he’s tried getting Casey on his Yankees staff in the past.

“I’ve known him for almost 30 years,” the skipper said before the series opener against the Rockies. “He’s so passionate about hitting. He was a great hitter, obviously. He’s able to talk about it. But he’s such an awesome person, and his ability to connect and develop relationships, I’m confident that that — coupled with his passion and understanding of hitting — has a chance to really impact this year over the final couple of months of the season.”

Boone said that he wants Casey to start putting his stamp on the team over the next few days as he settles in. It seems that players, meanwhile, are already taking a liking to him.

“He’s looking forward to taking on the challenge of being here and he’s excited about being here, and we’re excited to have him,” Josh Donaldson said. “I think he has a lot of baseball knowledge that’s gonna help our guys.”

Donaldson added that Casey brought lots of energy and passion to his first pregame meeting with hitters.

Judge also said that he’s looking forward to working with Casey. He called Lawson’s firing a “surprise,” while Boone described it as a “difficult decision.”

“I don’t really think it was his fault,” DJ LeMahieu said of Lawson. “It wasn’t really anyone’s fault. We just weren’t clicking in the first half offensively.”

Nonetheless, the Yankees felt a change was needed. It’s notable that Casey has major league playing experience, though Boone said that’s not a “prerequisite.”

“I could learn from some Little Leaguer or something about hitting,” Judge said in agreement. “I can learn from Hall of Famers something about hitting, so it doesn’t matter if you played or not. If you come with a good message and it makes sense to whoever it is, it’s gonna work out.”

Still, Boone believes Casey’s time in the trenches is going to help him relate.

“He’s been where a lot of these guys have been,” Boone said, “and been through the ups and downs of it all, too.”

LEMAHIEU’S RETURN

LeMahieu, who played for the Rockies from 2012-2018 before joining the Yankees, returned to Coors for the first time on Friday.

Prior to the game, he spoke to Yankees and Rockies reporters. The versatile infielder said it was “weird” to come back in a different uniform, but Coors remains a “special place” for him.

Fans meanwhile, greeted LeMahieu with a pregame curtain call, a nice moment for the typically reserved veteran.

PITCHING PLANS

Nestor Cortes (rotator cuff) threw two ups on Thursday in Tampa. He will throw to live hitters on Monday in Anaheim before likely starting a rehab assignment after that, according to Boone.

Boone also said that the struggling Luis Severino is scheduled to start the second game of the upcoming Angels series.

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