Judge set to face live pitching at Yankee Stadium before expected return this week

The New York Yankees intend to have Aaron Judge confront live pitching at Yankee Stadium on Monday, the final preparation before he is expected to rejoin the lineup later this week after missing three months with a right rib stress fracture. Boone indicated Judge will probably need “a couple” of live-pitch sessions, which suggests he will miss Tuesday’s series opener against the Colorado Rockies. In Sunday’s game, Judge ran the bases and performed right-field duties, while rookie Jasson Domínguez committed a costly error that did not affect the final score.

Pitcher Clarke Schmidt continued his rehab in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and Ryan Weathers began a throwing program after a forearm strain. Giancarlo Stanton remains uncertain for the season, and former Yankee Michael King paid tribute by using Judge’s walk-up song. The bullpen also optioned Elmer Rodriguez to Triple-A.