After being sidelined with a toe injury, Aaron Judge (31-New York Yankees) is close to returning.

“Jersey, who has been on the disabled 메이저사이트 list with a torn ligament in his right thumb, could return as early as this weekend,” the Associated Press reported on Saturday.

Judge played in a scrimmage-style game at camp in Tampa, Florida.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said, “He got a couple at-bats in practice. He played about five innings of outfield defense and ran the bases,” Boone said.

“We’re checking his status every day,” Boone said. We’re not sure if he’s going to play or not.”

Asked about a possible weekend return, Boone said, “We can’t rule out anything,” and that he could play as early as April 28 against the Baltimore Orioles.

Judge hit 62 home runs last year, setting an American League record for most home runs, and was named MVP.

He was on pace for a second straight year this year, hitting 19 homers (.291) with 40 RBIs and 42 runs scored through March 4, but he was injured when he crashed into the fence while fielding at the Los Angeles Dodgers.

He recently rejoined the team and began training, and even took live batting practice at Yankee Stadium on April 24.