Judge called the waiting game “brutal” before he served as DH again in the series finale against the Red Sox, with Giancarlo Stanton starting in right field for the third time in four games — a situation that also comes with an injury risk, with the Yankees having to decide between the lesser of two evils as they chase a playoff spot.

Nearly a month after going on the injured list with a flexor strain in his right elbow, New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge took the next step in his throwing progression by briefly throwing to bases from right field.

Aaron Judge resumed throwing to bases on Sunday afternoon, the first time the Yankees’ captain has done so since sustaining a right flexor strain on July 22. He called the session “checking a box” toward his return to outfield play.