Judge has hit off a machine and will face live pitching early in summer camp, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

These details help explain why the Yankees are reportedly "very optimistic" that Judge will be ready to play by Opening Day. News on Judge's progress from a right rib fracture has been sparse during the shutdown of play, with reports surfacing only recently that the slugger had begun hitting off a tee. Given the nature of Judge's injury, it seems likely that he'll be able to play at the start of the season if he is, in fact, able to face live pitching within the next week or two.