Aaron Judge has taken the first step back toward a possible return by next week. The Yankees slugger, who is dealing with a right elbow flexor strain, began his hitting progression on Tuesday afternoon, hitting off a tee and tosses in the indoor cage.

Long before the gates opened, in a quiet Yankee Stadium, Aaron Judge stood in the batter’s box on Wednesday. He didn’t swing the bat he was holding, but it’s another step in his rehab of the elbow injury that is expected to have him out until August.