Aaron Judge did ‘quite a bit of hitting’ in latest step toward hopeful Yankees return

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Check another box off the list for Aaron Judge.

The Yankees captain took batting practice off the Trajekt pitching machine over the weekend before the team left New York, marking the latest step forward in his hitting progression as he works toward a return potentially as soon as next week.

The Trajekt machines — which simulate exact pitches of big leaguers — are not available to road teams, so Judge will not get a chance to hit off it this week.

But he can still face high-velocity pitching machines during his indoor cage work while also standing in on bullpen sessions to track live pitching (without swinging) — as he did Tuesday with Max Fried in the visiting bullpen at Angel Stadium.

“He did quite a bit of hitting [Monday] and spaced it out a little bit — he went back in and hit during the game some, so it’s kind of replicating that doing some work, sit down, go back and do some things,” manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday before facing the Angels. “He’s doing well. I talked to him again today, he feels really good. He’s running well, his speed’s in a good place, his strength’s in a good place.

“Now it’s just about reps and building that endurance.”

It is unlikely that Judge, who has said he wants to avoid a rehab assignment, will be able to face any live pitching this week on the road, though Boone said he could Monday, when the Yankees get home.

“Standing in on pens, doing Trajekt the other day, seeing velocity, all those things are helping him get prepared to get back into game play,” Boone said.

Aaron Judge is all smiles in the dugout during the seventh inning of the Yankees’ blowout win over the Red Sox on Aug. 30, 2026, at the Stadium. Robert Sabo for NY Post

George Lombard Jr. was out of the lineup Tuesday for a third straight game with knee inflammation, but there was still optimism the rookie shortstop would be able to avoid the injured list and potentially return after the off-day for Friday’s series opener against the Padres.

“The running part of it’s good, it’s just getting the agility where we need it to be,” Boone said. “Seems like today’s better than [Monday], so we’ll see as the day goes what level of availability there is for tonight.”

When rosters expanded from 26 to 28 on Tuesday, the Yankees activated Ryan McMahon from the 10-day injured list and added reliever John Schreiber, a day after claiming him off waivers from the Royals.

The crowded roster makes it unlikely that Anthony Volpe or Jasson Domínguez will get called up from Triple-A over the final month of the regular season, barring injuries. Volpe has been hitting better while bouncing between second base, shortstop and even third base recently to expand his versatility. He entered Tuesday batting .247 with seven home runs and a .924 OPS in 21 games since being optioned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

“He’s working his tail off down there,” Boone said.

Domínguez had not been as productive, batting just .202 with a .581 OPS in 21 games following his demotion.

The Yankees are currently planning to piggyback Will Warren behind Max Fried on Friday against the Padres, followed by Carlos Rodón —and potentially Elmer Rodríguez piggybacking — Saturday.

Gerrit Cole, who started Tuesday night against the Angels, could then come back to pitch Sunday on normal rest.

That ensures Wednesday’s starter, Cam Schlittler, will only have to go five days between starts instead of six with two off-days coming up.