Judge’s neck improving, takes BP

Aaron Judge took batting practice and stood in right field, but wasn’t in either Yankees’ lineup for Tuesday night’s intrasquad game at Yankee Stadium.

Judge hasn’t played in an intrasquad game since last Thursday due to neck stiffness.

At 2:50 p.m., Aaron Boone said on a Zoom call Judge was receiving treatment and there was a “chance’’ Judge could do some work on the field after treatment.

According to Boone, when Judge arrived at the Stadium there was improvement in his neck area and the issue hadn’t required tests. Judge watched the intrasquad game from the first-base dugout and shagged balls in right field during postgame batting practice but didn’t hit.

“He was much better today. Obviously he was able to go through a full work day. We felt it was best to hold him off one more day with the idea that he will be in there [Wednesday],’’ Boone said after the intrasquad game.

Boone isn’t thinking he will be without Judge at the start of the season next

Thursday in Washington.

“I do feel like it is a short-term thing that he will work through,’’ said Boone, who said he had been impressed with Judge’s swings before the neck issue surfaced. “I feel really good about how much he has been able to build up. He has played a number of innings in the field so I feel he is in a good spot moving forward to be ready to go Opening Day.’’

➤ Adam Ottavino isn’t a fan of a runner starting an extra-inning game on second base. And he has company in Chad Green and Jordan Montgomery.

In Tuesday night’s intrasquad game, the Yankees put a runner on second several times. Ottavino started the top of the third inning with Tyler Wade on second.

“It is not real baseball,’’ Ottavino said when asked if he liked the new rule that will be used this season to avoid lengthy extra-inning games. “You get used to it but I don’t particular like having a runner out there that I haven’t earned.’’

“Horrible,’’ said Montgomery who doesn’t have to worry about the rule since he is a starter.