ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Yankees began a weeklong trip on the West Coast on Monday with Aaron Judge in tow — and not just so he could be back in his home state.

If his ramp-up continues to go well this week as he adds more activity, “it’s possible” Judge could return to the Yankees during their next homestand that runs Sept. 8-13, manager Aaron Boone acknowledged Monday.

“I’m not going to put a date on it, but I think those things are in play now,” Boone said before a lackluster 10-1 loss to the Angels at Angel Stadium. “It’s about getting the durability and the workload built up on him, which is the biggest thing now.”

Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees smiles on the field before the game against the Los Angeles Angels. Getty Images

As the Yankees took batting practice Monday, Judge was out in right field doing defensive drills. The back-to-back AL MVP has been hitting inside over the past week, not yet against high velocity but responding well as he comes back from the right rib stress fracture that has sidelined him since the end of May.

Judge has said he hopes to avoid a rehab assignment, instead making up for one by facing the equivalent of live pitching against the Trajekt machine — which simulates exact pitches of big leaguers.

“He’s doing well,” Boone said. “He’s here, to continue to ramp up baseball activities. We’re getting closer, but feel good about where he’s at.”

The Yankees took another flier on a veteran reliever Monday, claiming John Schreiber off waivers from the Royals for the price of roughly $600,000 that he has left on his contract. The righty sidearmer had a 3.65 ERA in 55 appearances this season with the Royals and was especially good against right-handed batters, whom he held to a .143 average and .414 OPS. Lefties, meanwhile, hit .326 with a 1.024 OPS against him.

“We think he has a lot to offer, especially in some of these righty lanes,” Boone said. “We’re pretty familiar with him, having faced him a lot over the years with Boston and Kansas City, Kansas City’s playoff run [in 2024]. So familiar with him and kind of that unique angle. He’s still really handling right-handed hitters at a high level. Feel like he can certainly come in and help us.”

Because of Schreiber’s low slot, pitching coach Matt Blake described him as a “complement to Timmy [Hill] in some ways to get some of these heavy righty lanes.”

George Lombard Jr. remained out of the lineup Monday for a second straight game due to right knee inflammation. But the shortstop tested it early Monday afternoon, going through some running and agility drills on the field to see if he could make himself a player off the bench. 

“Definitely continues to improve,” Boone said. “We’ll see on the level of availability as the day unfolds.”

Ryan Weathers is early in the second week of what the Yankees said would be a two-to-four week shutdown from throwing because of a left forearm flexor strain, but Boone is hoping he could begin playing catch this week.

“Looks like he’s trending in a better way than that,” Boone said of the initial target. “There’s check marks that tell us he’s ready to go throw. Seems like he’s getting close to that.”

Ryan McMahon (left thumb sprain) will be activated Tuesday when rosters expand from 26 to 28. … Reliever Justin Topa, after being designated for assignment Saturday, elected free agency in lieu of an outright assignment to Triple-A.