Aaron Judge throws for first time as he works toward return: What it means for Yankees

TORONTO — The Aaron Judge watch is officially on.

The star right fielder played catch Friday for the first time in months, his biggest step toward returning from an injury that has sent the New York Yankees’ season into a tailspin.

Judge hasn’t been in the Yankees’ lineup since May 31, recovering from a stress fracture in his first right rib.

“Part of the ramp-up of the baseball activities,” manager Aaron Boone said before Saturday afternoon’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre.

The move was significant for Judge, who’s battling against time. The regular season ends Sept. 27.

The Yankees woke up Saturday in second place in the American League East, 6 1/2 games back of the first-place Tampa Bay Rays. But the Yankees also held a three-game lead for the top wild-card position.

Boone was asked if Judge could return in a month, or by Sept. 15.

“I don’t know,” he said. “We expect him back. Hopefully things continue to go well.”

Boone said that he had spoken to Judge on Friday and that the throwing session went well, though he didn’t know what Judge would do next.

Doctors didn’t require Judge to undergo a new round of testing before allowing him to throw Friday, Boone said. It’s still possible that he’ll undergo another MRI to assess his healing, the manager added.

It was unclear whether doctors consider Judge simply healthy enough to play or if the Yankees are running out of time to get him ready.

“There’s still healing to go,” Boone said. “But he’s at the stage where he’s able to start ramping up.”

The Yankees’ offense has been a mess without Judge, who has won the last two American League MVP awards and three total.

They were fourth in the majors in runs scored (305) and second in wRC+ (117) before Judge’s last game on May 31. Since June 1, they are 26th in runs scored (241) and 28th in wRC+ (87).

The Yankees were also only 1 1/2 games back in the AL East when Judge last suited up.

Their season may hinge on whether Judge is fully healthy and has enough time to round into postseason shape with so few regular-season games remaining.

Yankees awaiting the return of several other stars

Left fielder Cody Bellinger (left hamstring strain) sprinted in the outfield at the Rogers Centre on Saturday and could start a rehab assignment sometime next week, Boone said. Giancarlo Stanton (right calf strain) ran the bases and hit on the field Friday, though Boone said he didn’t have a timeline for when the designated hitter could return. Lefty starting pitcher Carlos Rodón (elbow inflammation) has made two rehab starts, and Boone said the Yankees haven’t decided whether his next start will be in the majors or if he’ll need another rehab outing.