Judge takes BP, not 'limited at all' by toe injury

DENVER -- Aaron Judge took batting practice on the field prior to Friday's series opener against the Rockies at Coors Field, the first time the Yankees' superstar slugger has done so since tearing a ligament in his right big toe on June 3.

Judge, who injured the toe when he crashed through the outfield fence at Dodger Stadium while making a great catch, said he "didn't feel limited at all" during the BP session. Judge also participated in some light outfield drills, played catch in the outfield and did some light running.

Judge said it's "tough to describe" the feeling in the toe, but he said he "wouldn't call it pain." He did not offer a timetable for a return to the Yankees' lineup.

"It's not healed, so obviously it is what it is," Judge said. "But we're making progress every day. ... I've got no date. I've got nothing for you on that. But you're asking how I'm feeling and how we're progressing, and we're progressing well and getting closer."

Since Judge was sidelined, the Yankees rank near the bottom in the Majors in most major offensive categories. The woes at the plate led to the dismissal of hitting coach Dillon Lawson and the hiring of former Major League first baseman Sean Casey, a former teammate of manager Aaron Boone.

"We've been encouraged by what we've been seeing the last week or so from a hitting [and running] standpoint," Boone said of Judge's progress. "I think it's gonna be more getting to that next level of really being able to let it loose running. He's run this week already, but where you're able to stop and start and cut. The hitting is going really well."

Boone said there hasn't been a discussion regarding potential Minor League rehab games for Judge.

"It's more about getting to the point where he's ready to get into a game," Boone said. "And then we'll make those decisions at that point. ... The biggest thing will be getting to that game endurance, stamina."

Without a timetable for Judge's return, the Yankees opened the second half of the season looking to right the ship at the plate even without the centerpiece of their lineup. They hoped hitter-friendly Coors Field would help jumpstart the bats.

For now, Judge will continue to watch from the dugout until the moment finally comes when he will be able to play. He certainly may not be 100 percent when he's back in action, given that he said he hasn't ruled out offseason surgery on the toe.

But a less-than-100-percent Judge would certainly be a huge lift to New York's struggling lineup.

"He's going to push, but he'll know when he's ready," Boone said. " ... He'll be ready when he's ready."