MINNESOTA — Despite some talk about a potential off day, Aaron Judge found himself back in the Yankees’ lineup for Monday’s series-opener against the Twins.

The right fielder has only missed one game since returning from a fractured rib that sidelined him from May 31 to Sept. 8. With that in mind, Aaron Boone said that Judge could sit out Wednesday’s series finale in Minnesota, which comes before an off day, but he “pretty much” sees the back-to-back MVP as full-go with as the Yankees trying to leapfrog the Rays for a division title with two weeks to go before the playoffs.

While the Yankees are happy to have Judge back in their lineup, he entered Monday’s contest 3-for-17 (.176) with zero extra-base hits in five games since coming off the shelf. The back-to-back MVP, who did not go on a rehab assignment and only had one live batting practice session against minor leaguers before being activated, has also walked once and struck out nine times.

Judge’s timing has clearly been a bit off, but Boone has liked the captain’s approach and is confident the results will come soon.

“I’ve actually been pleased,” Boone said Monday. “Even right away, I felt like he’s looked better than I anticipated with him having not played a lot. He’s just missed a handful of pitches, but I feel like for the most part, he’s swinging at the right pitches, taking pitches that he should, not chasing a lot. So I think it’s just a matter of that last level of fine-tuning that we know he’ll get to. But I feel like it’s been valuable having him have the number of at-bats that he’s had, seeing the number of pitches that he has, playing as regularly as he has. So [that’s] all hopefully moving towards getting him really dialed in.”

Boone has also said that he’s been “pleased” with the way Judge has been responding physically since returning to game action. Judge, who has said he wants to be playing every day, said much of the same on Sunday after going 0-for-3 with three punchouts in a 2-0 win over the Mets.

“I’m feeling great,” Judge said. “That’s why we’re back. I’m feeling 100%, ready to go. I’m feeling really good. We keep winning ballgames, which is the most important thing.”

RODÓN GETS CLEMENTE NOD

For the second straight season, Carlos Rodón was named the Yankees’ nominee for MLB’s Roberto Clemente Award, which is given annually to the player who best represents the sport through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions.

Through their nonprofit, the Carlos Rodón Foundation, Rodón and his wife, Ashley, provide financial assistance and resources to couples facing infertility and pregnancy loss, just as they did earlier in their lives. The foundation has awarded $715,000 in grants to 60 families across 17 states; 34 families are currently in treatment, 15 babies are on the way, and four have been born.

“We talk about using your platform for good, and they certainly have done that,” Boone said. “They’ve taken some of their personal experiences and hardships and turned them into positives.”

PITCHING PLANS

Boone said that Clarke Schmidt (Tommy John surgery) could be activated on Tuesday, but Wednesday is more likely. The right-hander made the trip to Minnesota and will be an option out of the bullpen.

Ryan Weathers (flexor strain) is scheduled to throw his first bullpen since his injury at Target Field on Tuesday.

Finally, Fernando Cruz (partially torn UCL) began throwing over the weekend.