SAN DIEGO \u2014 With the Yankees at Petco Park for the start of a three-game series against the Padres, Aaron Judge took on-field batting practice on Friday afternoon. It was the back-to-back MVP\u2019s first time hitting in front of fans and reporters since going on the injured list with a stress fracture in his first right rib on June 5.<\/p>\n
\u201cChecking all the boxes. That\u2019s all it is at this point,\u201d Judge said, as he\u2019s already taken batting practice and hit off velocity indoors since ramping up his hitting progression.<\/p>\n
Another view of Aaron Judge taking on-field BP. #Yankees<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/i3GZMruK8C<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) September 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Judge also ran the bases and worked in the outfield on Friday, and Aaron Boone said that the slugger would be doing \u201cfull\u201d baseball activities this week. The manager added that the Yankees still don\u2019t have a set date for Judge\u2019s return, though Boone recently said \u201cit\u2019s possible\u201d that the captain is activated on the club\u2019s upcoming homestand<\/a> against the Rockies and Mets.<\/p>\n Judge didn\u2019t provide a specific date either, but he did say he\u2019s \u201cmad at how long it\u2019s taken\u201d to get back, and that he\u2019s \u201cgetting close.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to be back June 1, but that didn\u2019t happen,\u201d he said. \u201cSo I\u2019ll leave it up to the manager when he wants to put me in there.\u201d<\/p>\n