NEW YORK -- Another Aaron Judge hot streak is coming soon, Yankees manager Aaron Boone predicted Monday.

"I never think it's far off with Aaron and I think that's the case right now," Boone said before the Yankees beat the Twins 6-2 at Yankee Stadium. "I think it's a matter of time before he goes on one of those Aaron runs and can carry the group a little bit."

Judge contributed a hard-hit RBI single to left field in the seventh inning of a Yankees win that left them one game ahead of the Guardians for the last AL wild-card spot, but finished the night 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.

Since Judge's return from the injured list last Tuesday in Texas, he's batting .211 with no homers and two RBI in six games.

Is Judge's flexor strain in his throwing elbow still a problem?

It's not affecting his hitting, the Yankees have been saying.

Judge's throwing program is progressing well, too ... so well that he might be back in right field by this weekend in St. Louis after only DHing since coming off the IL.

Judge still is a favorite to win a third AL MVP along with Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh. His .336 batting average leads the league by 20 points over the Rays' Jonathan Aranda, he's second with 37 homers and he's tied for second with 87 RBI.

He started with the season with one of the greatest first two months ever batting .398 with 21 homers and 50 RBI in 57 games through May 31. Since he's batting just .261 in 52 games, but he's still been very productive with 16 homers and 37 RBI.

"Hitting, guys go through it sometimes," Boone said. "Obviously having 10 days off there, he was able to do a lot during that time off from a hitting standpoint and he's had some days where he's been on base a lot. He's getting his hits. I think just a matter of time before it really locks in."