NEW YORK -- There had been, in Aaron Boone’s words, “a lot of conversations” debating Aaron Judge’s right hip strain and the Yankees’ already-crowded injured list over the past few days -- a “will they/won’t they” arc that was beginning to rival Pam and Jim from "The Office".

Judge promised that he could be ready soon and desperately wanted to avoid the injured list, a point that he repeatedly made to Boone and others. Ultimately, lingering discomfort in the slugger’s right hip made that call for him before Monday’s 3-2 loss to the Guardians at Yankee Stadium.

“I didn’t want this to turn into something that he’s playing at 80 percent, 85 percent, and then it turns into something serious,” Boone said. “Ultimately, that’s what I weighed in talking to him and making that decision, as hard as it was.”

In a corresponding move, New York recalled infielder/outfielder Franchy Cordero from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Boone indicated that the Yankees might activate outfielder Harrison Bader from his Minor League rehab assignment for Tuesday’s game against Cleveland.

Judge’s injured list assignment is retroactive to Friday, meaning the earliest he could return is next Monday against Oakland. Boone indicated that he believes it is possible that Judge would be ready by then.

Judge has not played since Thursday, when he exited New York’s 4-2 win over the Rangers in the fourth inning with what the team described as a small strain near the top of his right hip, as confirmed by an MRI. Judge sustained the injury sliding headfirst into third base on Wednesday against the Twins.

“I think we’ve known that it’s a minor thing, but the risk which we’re weighing is we don’t want to put him in a position where he goes out and compromises somewhere else, and the injury becomes something else or worse,” Boone said. “That’s the biggest thing.”

Though Judge was listed in the third batting practice group for Monday’s game, he did not appear on the field pregame. Instead, Judge performed his work indoors, including warmups and throwing.

The reigning American League Most Valuable Player, Judge is batting .261/.352/.511 with six home runs and 14 RBIs in 26 games this season. He played in 157 of New York’s 162 regular-season games last year.

“It’s a tough one. He’s our captain,” said catcher Jose Trevino. “But I know he’s going to be with us every step of the way; he’s going to be supporting us. This is a long season, and it’s something that teams have to go through to see how strong they are, to see how close they are. And I think we will.”