NEW YORK – The Yankees are expected to have right fielder Aaron Judge back on the field in time for the postseason. The all-time American League home run leader in a season hasn’t played in a game for the Bronx Bombers since May 31st because of a stress fracture in his right rib. Without him, the team is 40-36 and has maintained their second place status as they sit five games in back of Tampa.

Judge’s return, aside from adding a big bat to the lineup, should be a big boost to the team’s mojo. He is a team leader and when leaders are on the field other players seem to do their jobs as a matter of routine. The Pinstripes could use some routine right now. They have a shortstop who set a record for committing errors and a left fielder who we just found out won’t be returning this season.

In an interview with MLBbro.com at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Judge addressed a wide range of topics from his on-field activities to the contributions the Yanks are getting from young players like George Lombard Jr. and Spencer Jones.

MLBbro.com: How is your rib feeling? You have come a long way since the injury?

Aaron Judge: I’m feeling good. We are doing a lot more baseball activities, which is great. We are running around on defense… We are throwing a lot, running and hitting in the cage. We are progressing pretty well. We have no setbacks, which has been the best part about it. We are able to hit our goals. We had tee and toss today. We hit that. Now let’s go overhand (pitching) and we did that. Hopefully, we keep moving forward and get back out there as soon as we can.

MLBbro: Have you done any baserunning at all?

Judge: No baserunning yet. Just sprinting stuff in the outfield. We just introduced something like ark runs to get us ready for base running, but I think that will probably be the next step. I don’t know when that will be, but hopefully in the next week or two.

MLBbro: Everyone talks about how much the Yankees miss you, but my question is, how much do you miss not playing?

Judge: That has been the toughest part. Injuries are brutal, tough – dealing with that and getting that healed. The boys are grinding out there. They are going through the ups and downs of the season — the big moments and the low moments. Not being on the field with them, that’s what hurts me the most. I just feel I’m not contributing, so I’m trying to find other ways to contribute to the team – helping guys, encouraging guys. Not being in the trenches with the guys is the toughest thing for me.

The Big Bat Is Back | Aaron Judge Has Finally Gotten Back On The Field

MLBbro: In 2016, you were a rookie coming up. Ten years later, the Yankees have George Lombard Jr. making an impact. Tell me your feelings on him as a player?

Judge: I’m excited. He has a bright future ahead of him. He has been incredible from what I have seen on defense. He is a wizard on defense. Even with his at-bats, he seems composed and doesn’t seem overmatched. He hits the ball over the field, which has been great. He has come up with some big hits for us. He is just fun to watch. You don’t know what type of hitter he is going to be, but right now, he plays the game right, hard and he plays it the Yankee way, which I love.

MLBbro: You don’t only have George, but you have Spencer Jones as well.

Judge: It’s been great. You hear a lot about [Jones] the last couple of years, being one of the top prospects. We are finally giving him a chance. Guys we are holding on to, let’s get them up here and use them while I’m down, Big G (Giancarlo Stanton) is down and other guys are injured. With Jones, each time he was called up, he has gotten a little better… It’s been really fun to watch him and George grow, adjust to what opponents are doing to them in the Major League Level. With George, this is his first taste in the big league, starting every day and playing shortstop. It’s a tough position and a lot of expectations and weight on his shoulders. But I think he has handled it with a lot of class. He has a lot of grit.

MLBbro: How far can this team go in the postseason once you get back on the field?

Judge: I think once I get back – we are getting Max Fried back today. Once we get everybody healthy, I think we will be in a great spot. We have a great lineup. We added (a bat) to the lineup with [Luis García Jr.], who is going to hit 30 home runs and drive in 100 this year. Ben Rice is having another great year. He is showing what he can do. It’s going to be good. I’m excited. We had a really good team last year. It was probably one of the best teams we had in a while. We ran it back with a lot of the same crew. What this pitching staff has done has been amazing. Now it’s time for the offense to get healthy, get back and do our thing.

MLBbro: My last question is on Aaron Boone. I think this is the best job he has done since he has been manager of the Yankees. What do you think?

Judge: I think so. He has always done a great job managing that bullpen and managing the guys in this clubhouse. It’s a tough job… He is doing a great job. I think that’s why we all love him in this room. He always has our backs. He always fights for us. He has been here almost as long as I have. I have only two more years on him. He is our guy and we will go to battle with him.