Yankee sluggers Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton ‘very close’ to return, Aaron Boone says

The Yankees are hopeful that by next weekend they could have their two injured sluggers back in the lineup. Aaron Boone said Friday that both were getting near the point where they would go to Scranton to get live at-bats.

“They’re kind of finishing up their final kind of progressions," the Yankees manager said before Friday’s doubleheader with the Orioles. “Giancarlo’s out there running the bases again today, also hitting out there. So, if everything goes well, potentially this weekend you could see them getting some [at-bats] in Scranton. And then with us right shortly after that."

Stanton has been out since Aug. 8 with a strained left hamstring. Judge has played one game since Aug. 11 with a strained left calf that has required two stints on the IL.

“I would say they’re pretty healthy, but they’re also building up and obviously [doing] the progressions of running bases and the agility stuff and that endurance ... making sure when they’re entering a game we feel like it’s safe,” Boone said. “You’ve got to pass some protocols and do some build ups to get back to a point to where you’re in a major league game and the rigors that goes with that.”