How Yankees' Aaron Judge took another step on his way back

Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (fractured right wrist) continued his rehab Saturday …

SEATTLE — It was a slow day for Aaron Judge.

But it was progress, nonetheless, manager Aaron Boone said.

Judge tested his fractured right wrist more before Saturday’s game against the Mariners at Yankee Stadium, hitting in the cage, taking right field drills and throwing, Boone said.

Judge also caught football passes from third base coach Phil Nevin.

“We’re still continuing on,” Boone said.

Judge has been out since a fastball hit him on the wrist July 26. The Yankees hoped he’d be back three weeks after the injury but have since said their timeline was wildly optimistic.

Judge hopes to return in time for the playoffs in October.

9 Yankees Wild Card questions

GLEYBER DAY: INF Gleyber Torres hit a two-run HR in the second inning on Fri. at Seattle for his 100th career hit… at 21 years, 268 days old, is the fourth-youngest player in Yankees history to reach 100 career hits, behind Mickey Mantle (20 years, 193 days, 4/30/52), Ben Chapman (21 years, 207 days, 7/20/30) and Joe DiMaggio (21 years, 230 days, 7/12/36).

CUTCH HIT: OF Andrew McCutchen hit his first HR as a Yankee on Fri. at Seattle, a two-run shot in the third inning… was his 16th HR of the season (also hit 15HR with San Francisco).
>> Is the third player ever to homer for both the Yankees and Giants in the same season, joining Dale Long in 1960 (3HR with SF, 3HR with NYY) and Johnny Mize in 1949 (18HR with NYG, 1HR with NYY).

TANAKA TIME: RHP Masahiro Tanaka tossed 8.0 shutout innings (3H, 0BB, 10K), retiring 24-of-27 batters, to earn his 11th win on Fri. at Seattle… has started two of the Yankees’ last three shutouts (also 7/24 at Tampa Bay – CG SHO).
>> Marked his 13th career double-digit-strikeout game, his first since 9/29/17 vs. Toronto (15K)… are tied for second-most in Yankees history by a pitcher in his first 129 career games (Ron Guidry-16, Al Downing-13).
>> Has recorded at least 10K with 0BB five times in his career, tied for second-most in Yankees history (Mussina-7, Cone-5, Severino-5).
>> Has completed 7.0IP in three consecutive starts for the first time this season… has completed 6.0IP in five straight turns, going 2-2 with a 2.12 ERA (34.0IP, 8ER).
>> Improved to 7-0 with a 2.02 ERA (58.0IP, 13ER) in eight career starts against the Mariners… is one of three active pitchers with a career record of 6-0 or better and an ERA under 2.50 vs. an AL opponent, joining Chris Sale (6-0, 1.23 vs. Los Angeles-AL) and Gio Gonzalez (6-0, 1.62 vs. Cleveland)… has completed 7.0IP in 7-of-8 outings.

PROSPECT SPOTLIGHT

Tyler Nunez, a C from Lake Nona HS, is a 6'2 190lb athletic catcher who provides strength with the bat and glove. During BP, Tyler stuck with a middle of the field approach while staying on a line. He impacted the ball well with his compact and direct path, T90EV. He showed off his real athleticism behind the plate by posting a 2.04 pop time while staying around the bag on every throw. He is a good looking athletic uncommitted catcher to keep an eye on.