George Lombard Jr. Avoids Structural Damage; Yankees Call Up Luis Gil

Yankees rookie George Lombard Jr. avoided structural damage in his right knee but missed Sunday's 16-1 win over the Red Sox due to inflammation.

New York Yankees rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr. does not have structural damage in his right knee following an injury sustained during Saturday’s 9-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox. Despite avoiding the worst-case scenario, the 21-year-old was excluded from the lineup for Sunday’s 16-1 series-ending win, with Jose Caballero starting at shortstop instead. Lombard, who was promoted on Aug. 4 to replace Anthony Volpe, is currently dealing with soreness and inflammation in his patella. Before Sunday's game, manager Aaron Boone characterized the rookie's status as day-to-day, noting the necessity of removing discomfort and swelling before a return to play.

The injury occurred in the second inning of Saturday’s contest when Lombard tweaked his knee during a checked swing. He remained in the game to finish the at-bat with a single to left field and subsequently lined out in the third inning before being removed in the fourth. In 23 career games, the top prospect has posted a .253 batting average with two home runs and a .677 OPS. While he homered in his major league debut, he recently recorded an error in six consecutive games. Lombard noted on Sunday that the knee felt stiff but improved compared to the previous day, leading to a pregame plan of treatment and testing.

Roster Adjustments and Volpe’s New Role

To bolster a fatigued bullpen, the Yankees recalled right-hander Luis Gil from Triple-A on Sunday. Gil, the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year, has made 54 career appearances as a starter but will now serve as a reliever. After missing three months with a shoulder injury earlier this season, Gil recorded nine strikeouts over 7⅓ scoreless innings in five minor league relief appearances. He takes the roster spot of Yerry De los Santos, who was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Boone indicated that Gil’s ability to provide length was a primary factor in the call-up following a recent doubleheader.

Anthony Volpe remains in Triple-A, where he is expanding his defensive profile. Having split his first 27 starts between shortstop and second base, Volpe recently started at third base for the first time since his 2021 stint in Low-A. The Yankees have utilized pregame drills to increase his versatility as rosters prepare to expand this Tuesday. Volpe is considered a candidate to rejoin the major league club for the upcoming stretch run as New York attempts to overtake the Tampa Bay Rays for the American League East title.

Aaron Judge Rehab Progresses to West Coast

Aaron Judge is scheduled to join the Yankees for a six-game West Coast road trip beginning Monday in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels. The three-time MVP, who has been sidelined since fracturing his first right rib on May 31, took a significant step forward last week by facing overhand pitching for batting practice at Yankee Stadium. Judge landed on the injured list on June 5 and was restricted from physical activity until early August. He was cleared for baseball activities in mid-August and has since increased his workload to include throwing, running, and swinging.

The next phase of Judge’s recovery involves taking batting practice on the field and facing high-velocity pitching. Although he has not played in over a month, Judge stated on Thursday that he does not believe a rehab assignment is necessary before returning to the active roster. The Yankees are currently focused on maintaining their hold on the first wild-card spot while chasing the division lead. Boone expects Judge to become more entrenched in pregame routines during the trip to California as he nears a return to live competition.