Yankees Aaron Judge, Aroldis Chapman participate in sim game | What you need to know

The Yankees are expected to have Aaron Judge starting games in right field and Aroldis Chapman back in his closer role this week, maybe as early as Tuesday.

NEW YORK — Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge has been waiting and waiting for the Yankees to allow him to take final rehab steps that will get him back in their lineup.

“The sooner the better,” No. 99 said on Sunday.

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A day later, Judge finally got his wish.

Seven-plus weeks after suffering a fractured right wrist and three days after being activated from the disabled list with a no-hitting stipulation, Judge reported to Yankee Stadium on Monday morning to take some swings in a simulated game.

Closer Aroldis Chapman, who is close to returning from left knee tendinitis, also was out there throwing to hitters.

This short but important work day for the two All-Stars was termed a success by the Yankees, who reported both “completed their sim-game programs without issues.”

Judge had 11 at-bats facing three relievers: Yankees righties A.J. Cole and Chance Adams plus Triple-A lefty Phillip Diehl.

Chapman threw 22 pitches facing infielder Tyler Wade, a left-handed hitter, and catcher Kyle Higashioka, who bats right.

Now what?

This was the last hurdle to clear for Chapman, who could be off the DL by Tuesday after being sidelined since Aug. 22 with a knee issue that had been bothering him since mid-May.

As for Judge, he’ll probably be cleared to hit in a game this week, but the Yankees may want him participating in at least one more another sim game to work on his timing at the plate. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on Sunday that he’s hoping Boone gets 35-40 at-bats in the final weeks of the season.

The Yankees have 13 regular-season games remaining and begin a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox at home Tuesday afternoon.

“I’ve been feeling good for a while, I’ve got to go through the progression and once I do that, I’ll be back,” Judge said.

Last Friday, Judge appeared in a game for the first time since he suffered a chip fracture to his right wrist, as he played right field for the final two innings of an 11-0 home win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Judge says that he feels no pain when hitting, but he feels discomfort when shaking his wrist, which likely won’t fully heal for several months.

Judge and Chapman returning will be huge lifts for the Yankees, who have lost 11 of their last 19.

The Red Sox will clinch the AL East crowd with one win over the second-place Yankees, who were 1 1/2 games up on the Oakland Athletics for the first Wild Card and home-field advantage in the AL Wild Card Game through Monday.

“It’s all about what team is hot at the end,” Judge said. “That’s our biggest thing. If we can get hot here the last two weeks and take that into the playoffs, we’re going to be in a good position.”

The Yanks will be in a better position if Judge looks like the Judge of old in the final two weeks.

Never short on confidence, Judge showed some on Sunday when he was asked if there’s enough time in the regular season to get him feeling good at the plate for playoff baseball.

“Plenty,” Judge said. “Plenty of time.”

Randy Miller may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.