The start of the New York Yankees' series finale against the San Diego Padres couldn't have been any worse.

Starting pitcher Gerrit Cole allowed three straight home runs to open his outing against the Padres. San Diego got things started when slugger Fernando Tatis Jr. led off the game with a home run, and he was then followed by infielder Jake Cronenworth.

And finally, third baseman Manny Machado got a hold of a pitch, sending the third straight home run into the bleachers at Petco Park.

Thankfully, the game is still in the early stages. But this is far from ideal for the Yankees to open a crucial rubber match with San Diego.

Cole had been pitching very well entering this game, sporting a 3.29 ERA over 18 starts this year. In his return to the Yankees, coming off Tommy John surgery, the right-hander has looked sharp.

New York was able to take the second game of the series from the Padres after dropping the first matchup on a walk-off. But so far, the Padres have full control over the Yankees, and only time will tell if a comeback is in the works.

There is some good news for the Yankees, and it comes from the injury recovery of star outfielder Aaron Judge. Judge will be taking live batting practice on Monday at Yankee Stadium.

Judge has been out since June 2, dealing with a fractured rib. But it seems that the Yankees star could be coming back sooner rather than later.

“I’m mad how long it has taken,” Judge said. “It is what it is. I wish it was real two months ago, but we’re at this point [now]. We’re getting close. I can’t wait to be back out there.”

Getting the slugger back right before the playoffs could provide New York with the boost that it has been missing. The Yankees have been one of the worst teams in baseball on offense since Judge went down.

“We’re hitting all the baseball stuff,” Judge said. “Throwing to bases, throwing, running the bases. Hitting, getting on the field, moving around. I think [we need to] face some live pitching and then I’ll get back out there.

New York could get their slugger back sometime next week if all goes to plan. But he will need to complete a few rounds of live batting practice before the Yankees fully clear him to get back on the field.