Latest on Yankees’ Aaron Judge injury: New test for slugger

Yankees star Aaron Judge took another test toward returning from a right wrist fracture at Safeco Field on Friday.

SEATTLE — Don’t call it a comeback. Not yet anyway. But Aaron Judge seems closer than ever.

Judge (fractured right wrist) hit off a tee outdoors at Safeco Field before a game vs. the Mariners on Friday.

It’s the most significant work Judge has been seen doing since he suffered the injury when a fastball hit him on the wrist in late July.

The Yankees thought he’d have returned to the lineup two weeks ago, but he’s been having trouble with pain.

This week in Oakland, Judge hit off a tee indoors, twice taking 25 swings off it and 25 dry swings.

We’ll update this post with more from manager Aaron Boone and Judge soon.

McCutchen ready to play LF

Here are a few stats you should know going into the game, via the team’s PR staff:

AT A GLANCE: The Yankees are 1-2 on their nine-game, 10-day road trip… dropped 2-of-3 at Oakland… begin a three-game series tonight at Seattle… will play 3G at Minnesota (Mon.-Wed.) before an off day Thursday.
>> Are 12-7 in their last 19G and 19-11 in 30G since 8/6… are 78-44 since 4/21.

TANAKA TIME: RHP Masahiro Tanaka is 6-0 with a 2.34 ERA (50.0IP, 13ER) in seven 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 6-of-7 outings.
>> Earned his 10th win in his last start on Sat. vs. Detroit, becoming the second pitcher in Yankees history to earn at least 10 wins in each of his first five Major League seasons (also Andy Pettitte, first nine).

Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.