Yankees' Aaron Judge noncommittal about return from injury

New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge failed to deliver much of a meaningful update during his latest comments about his anticipated return from a lingering toe injury. 

"Hopefully soon. We’ll see," Judge said about when he'll be back in the Yankees lineup during a Monday appearance on NBC's "Today" show, per Ryan Glasspiegel of the New York Post. "We got the All-Star Game coming up here, so hopefully that will buy me a couple days and we’ll be back there soon." 

Judge hasn't played since he suffered what he later revealed to be a torn ligament in his big right toe on June 3. It was reported late last month that "one Yankees person ... guessed Judge could be back a week or two after the All-Star break" that begins following this coming Sunday's action. 

However, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal of Fox said this past Saturday that "it is not at all evident exactly when" the reigning American League Most Valuable Player will be cleared for even a rehab assignment. 

"I can’t make any promises," Judge added about his recovery. "I wish I had an answer." 

The Judge-less Yankees (46-38) began Monday trailing the first-place Tampa Bay Rays by nine-and-a-half games in the AL East standings. New York held a wild-card playoff berth at that time.

Before his latest setback, Judge blasted 19 home runs and was batting .291 with 40 RBI and a 1.078 OPS across 49 contests this season. The captain is doing all he can to assist teammates as a spectator until he's able to contribute on the field. 

"Just trying to stay locked in," Judge said about his mindset. "Help a teammate, pick a teammate up. If I see someone struggling during a game, try to give them words of encouragement." 

The Yankees open a four-game home series against the 49-33 Baltimore Orioles on Monday night. Second-place Baltimore ended the weekend trailing Tampa Bay by five-and-a-half games.