AROUND THE HORN

Yankees: Aaron Judge took another small step in his return from a broken right wrist when the Yankees activated him from the disabled list but said he is limited for now to playing in the outfield and pinch running. Judge has not played since July 26, when he was hit by a pitch from the Royals’ Jakob Junis. The Yankees initially expected Judge to return in about three weeks. Manager Aaron Boone said the team is a couple days from making a decision on at-bats for Judge in a simulated game, a step before he will hit in a game . ... Injured closer Aroldis Chapman is to throw another bullpen session Saturday, a simulated game on Monday and then could be activated in the middle of next week, Chapman has not pitched in a game since Aug. 21 because of left knee tendinitis.

Cubs: RHP Pedro Strop will miss the rest of the regular season with a left hamstring strain, leaving the NL Central leaders with a closer-by-committee approach as they try to hold off the Brewers and Cardinals. Strop has been the closer since Brandon Morrow was placed on the disabled list July 18. He has 11 saves in 13 opportunities since then and 13 saves on the season. He’s 6-1 with a 2.26 ERA over 592⁄3 innings in 60 appearances. Unless the Cubs can make a trade, manager Joe Maddon said he envisions calling on a mix of veterans including Jesse Chavez, Steve Cishek and Justin Wilson to finish games.

Pirates: OF Gregory Polanco could be out until next June after surgery on his left shoulder. Polanco leads the Pirates with a career-high 23 home runs, 81 RBIs and 61 extra-base hits. He batted .254 this season. He dislocated his throwing shoulder on an awkward slide into second base on a double last Friday against the Marlins. He had surgery Wednesday to repair the labrum, and the Pirates said it is projected to take seven to nine months for his return. Adam Frazier, Jordan Luplow, Pablo Reyes and rookie Kevin Kramer likely will share right field duties.