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.

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.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.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 r...