Aaron Judge takes batting practice in latest Yankees return guidepost

The world’s — or at least The Bronx’s — most-watched hitting progression took another step forward Tuesday.Aaron Judge was expected to advance to taking batting practice in the indoor cage before the Yankees hosted the Astros, marking the back-to-back AL MVP’s latest step toward returning to the field from a right rib stress fracture as he continues to race against the clock.Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.

There are still more boxes to check — including ones that will be more strenuous than hitting overhand throws from a coach — but it was at least an encouraging development that the first days of Judge’s hitting program have gone well so far.He began hitting off a tee last Thursday, then added underhand tosses before moving to more traditional batting practice Tuesday.“He’s doing well,” manager Aaron Boone said.Before hitting in the cage, Judge ran in right field Tuesday afternoon.

That came on the heels of Monday, when he threw from over 100 feet — “looks really good throwing,” Boone said — and shagged in the outfield while Max Fried and Brendan Beck were throwing live batting practice.“Just to get the body used to being out there in the field,” Boone said.If and when Judge returns, the Yankees expect him to get most of his time in right field as opposed to strictly DHing.He will, of course, get the occasional DH day when needed as he reacclimates to playing every day after missing three-plus months.

But with Luis García Jr., Ben Rice and Paul Goldschmidt rotating at first base and DH depending on the matchup, the plan is for Judge to play the field.Boone acknowledged that doing so comes with risk — Judge is believed to have initially suffered the rib injury in April while diving on a play in right field to avoid running into Jazz Chisholm Jr.— but it is one the Yankees at least right now believe he is capable of ...