Aaron Judge plays catch in first baseball activity since toe injury amid season-ending fears

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge played catch before Wednesday´s game at Oakland in the AL MVP’s first baseball activity since tearing a ligament in his right big toe on June 3.

‘There’s a lot of steps we’ve got to take to get back to going on the field,’ Judge said. ‘So this is just another step along the way.’

Judge sustained a sprained right big toe after colliding with the outfield fence while making a catch vs. the L.A. Dodgers June 3. 

‘Definitely good to see him out here walking and playing some catch. Another step on the road back,’ Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. ‘Been slow moving, obviously, but at least we continue to see steady progress.’

Boone said Judge’s biggest challenge is getting more comfortable swinging a bat.

‘Really being able to torque and turn on that back foot and stuff,’ Boone said. 

‘When we get to that point where he starts being able to let it go hitting wise, that´ll be a good indicator that now it´s just about getting built up and ready to go.’

Speaking to The Post, Judge has adopted a cautious, day-by-day tone to the questions about his comeback but like Boone, can’t offer any firm guarantees at present.

‘I expect to be back, I’m going to do everything I can to put myself in that position,’ he said.

‘I can’t make any promises (about a return date). I wish I had an answer. I just feel bad. You guys are looking for answers. That’s your job. You’re reporting.

‘I’ve got no answers. I’m trying to figure stuff out and get through this thing.’ 

The 6-foot-7 slugger has hit 19 home runs this season – a campaign that at times had stuttered before with a couple of smaller injuries. But nothing like this, much to the 30-year-old’s deep frustration.

He continued: ‘What’s tough is people compare it to turf toe in the NFL, which is usually six weeks, six to eight weeks. But this is different than turf toe.

Manager Aaron Boone gave a pessimistic update on Judge’s future status over the weekend

‘Turf toe is more underneath the ligament. This is on the side. So you never know.’

Speaking at a press conference Saturday, Boone sent alarm bells ringing when he was remarkably cautious about when Judge will be back.

‘He’s out right now, so, I mean, just trying to obviously get him well and back as soon as possible,’ Boone said.

‘But no. Whether we had a defined day where he’d be back in, the reality is we’re without him right now, and we’ve got to find a way to get it done.