YANKEES STAR JUDGE RETURNS TO OUTFIELD

» Yankees star Aaron N EWY OR K

Judge took another step in his return from a broken right wrist when he played right field for a couple of innings Friday night.

The Yankees activated him from the disabled list before the gameagainstToronto.The team said he is limited for now to defense and pinch running — still no hitting for the slugger.

Judge got a big ovation when he trotted to the outfield for the top of the eighth inning. He had not played since July 26, when he was hit by a pitch from Kansas City’s Jakob Junis.

The Yankees initially expected Judge to return in about three weeks.

With the roster, it makes some sense to have him available to, if there’s a spot where we can get him in, to run the bases or play some defense,” New York manager Aaron Boone said before the start of New York’s final regularseason homestand. “He’s getting real close to being an option for us.”

Cubs reliever Pedro Strop to miss rest of regular season.

Cubs reliever Pedro C HICA G O

Strop will miss the rest of the regular season with a left hamstring strain, leaving the NL Central leaders with major questions at the back end of their bullpen. The team an nounced the injury after Strop underwent an MRI. Strop has been Chicago’s closer since Brandon Morrow was placed on the disabled list on July 18. He has 11 saves in 13 opportunities since then and 13 saves on the season. He’s 61 with a 2.26 ERA over 59 M innings in 60 appearances.

Pirates OF Polanco out 79 months after shoulder surgery.

TTSBURGH» The Pitts

P I burgh Pirates say outfielder Gregory Polanco could be out until next June after having surgery on his left shoulder. The Pirates made the announcement on Polanco’s 27th birthday. Polanco leads the Pirates with a careerhigh 23 home runs, 81 RBIs and 61 extrabase hits. Polanco dislocated his throwing shoulder on an awkward slide into second base on a double last Friday against Miami. The Pirates said it is projected to take seven to nine months for a return to action.

Mariners’ Paxton, Hernandez will miss starts vs. Anaheim.

Seattle pitchANAHEI M , CALIF . ers James Paxton and Felix Hernandez will not make their scheduled starts this weekend against the Los Angeles Angels. Mariners manager Scott Servais said Paxton and Hernandez did not accompany the team to Anaheim. Paxton, who was slated to go on Friday, is dealing with pneumonia. Hernandez left last Saturday’s game against the Yankees with hamstring tightness. — The Associated Press