Boone: Judge may return in 3 weeks

NEW YORK — Yankees manager Aaron Boone said it’s “pretty realistic” that injured slugger Aaron Judge will be able to play in a game in three weeks.

Boone made the assessment Friday, a day after Judge’s right wrist was fractured when he was hit by a first-inning pitch from the Royals’ Jakob Junis. Boone said he’s not sure if that time frame means a minor-league rehab game for Judge or a return to the Yankees lineup.

“I think the three weeks is a possibility (that) he’s in a game,” Boone said.

Judge’s wrist isn’t in a cast and the team said the All-Star right fielder won’t need surgery. The Yankees put him on the 10-day disabled list and recalled infielder/outfielder Tyler Wade from Triple-A Scranton/WilkesBarre.

Judge, who didn’t leave Thursday’s game until the fourth inning, wasn’t made available to the media before Friday night’s game against the Royals. He’s hitting .285 with 26 home runs and 61 RBIs this season.

The Yankees went into the weekend trailing the American League East-leading Red Sox by 4 ⁄2 games. The teams play four

1 times at Fenway Park in Boston next week.

The Yankees got positive news on Sonny Gray, whose pitching hand was hit by a hard grounder Thursday. Gray said his right thumb is feeling better and he fully expects to make his next start as scheduled.

“I’ll be ready in five days,” Gray said.

The Yankees also said newly acquired J.A. Happ would make his debut Sunday when he starts against the Royals. The Blue Jays traded the left-hander Thursday in exchange for infielder Brandon Drury and minor-league outfielder Billy McKinney.