


Gerrit Cole is hoping for help from a higher power in the Aaron Judge department.
The Yankees teammates joined NBC’s “Today” show on Monday, and Judge was asked by co-host Craig Melvin how he can have an impact on the game when he’s been out hurt.
“Just trying to stay locked in. Help a teammate, pick a teammate up. If I see someone struggling during a game, try to give them words of encouragement,” Judge said.
Judge has been out for the last month with a toe injury after running into the wall in the Yankees’ win over the Dodgers in Los Angeles on June 3.
He was asked when he could be expected back playing for the Yankees.
“Hopefully soon. We’ll see,” Judge said. “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.”
At this point, Melvin joked that what he hears there is that Judge will return to the Bombers’ lineup shortly after the All-Star break, and Cole responded by making prayer hands.
Last week, Judge told The Post that he expects to return to the Yankees this season.
“That’s obvious, I expect to be back,” Judge said. “I’m going to do everything I can to put myself in that position.”
Nevertheless, he declined to commit to a definitive date.
“I can’t make any promises,” Judge continued. “I wish I had an answer.
The reigning American League MVP after slugging a league record 62 home runs last season, Judge is batting .291 with 19 home runs, 40 RBIs and 1.078 OPS this season.
At 46-38, the Yankees are 9.5 games behind the Rays for first place in the AL East.
If the playoffs started today, the Yankees would be in as the third Wild Card team; they have a 1.5-game lead over the Blue Jays to hold onto the slot.