Yankees rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr. avoided a major knee injury after exiting a Saturday doubleheader win over the Red Sox. Meanwhile, Aaron Judge’s September return timeline takes shape, and Clarke Schmidt and Ryan McMahon begin minor league rehab assignments as New York manages a wave of roster updates.
The Yankees split a Saturday doubleheader with the Red Sox, taking the nightcap 9-2. Yet the primary post-game concern centered on rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr., who left the contest early after tweaking his right knee during a second-inning at-bat against Red Sox pitcher Brayan Bello.
Manager Aaron Boone told reporters after the game that Lombard underwent imaging at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and dodged a significant injury, characterizing the setback as a day-to-day situation.
George Lombard Jr. Avoids Serious Damage After Early Exit Against Boston
Lombard initially stayed in the game long enough to single to left field on the pitch following his awkward swing, but he was eventually replaced in the top of the fourth inning. José Caballero shifted from third base to shortstop, and Amed Rosario took over at the hot corner.
“He felt like it was bugging him a little bit more, and just seeing him that at-bat and kind of get down the line wasn’t great. So just felt like we needed to get him out of there.”
Aaron Boone, Yankees Manager
Caballero told reporters that the team received encouraging initial word on the 21-year-old infielder. It’s great news, because he’s been playing really well,
Caballero said. We need the whole group together and healthy.
Lombard has started every game at short since his August 4 promotion from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, batting .253/.310/.367 with two home runs and six RBIs across his first 23 major league games.
Aaron Judge Progresses Toward a September Return From Rib Stress Fracture
While the rookie infielder recovers, captain Aaron Judge is closing in on a return from the injured list. Judge has been sidelined since June 2 due to a stress fracture in his right rib.
According to Fox Sports reporting, Judge could be activated during the team’s September 8-13 homestand, pending potential minor league rehab assignments. The three-time American League MVP is aiming to secure crucial major league at-bats before the postseason arrives for the 77-59 Yankees.
Clarke Schmidt and Ryan McMahon Launch Minor League Rehab Assignments
Other reinforcements are also moving through the recovery pipeline. Right-hander Clarke Schmidt and third baseman Ryan McMahon began rehab assignments with Double-A Somerset on Saturday. Schmidt, recovering from June 2025 Tommy John surgery, threw 20 pitches—including 16 strikes—surrendering two runs on two hits over two-thirds of an inning. He is expected to bolster the Yankees’ bullpen down the stretch.
McMahon, out since August 20 with a sprained left thumb, went hitless in three plate appearances with two strikeouts in his first rehab action. Boone indicated that McMahon is doing well
and trending toward returning around the 10-day mark or when major league rosters expand on September 1.
“He’s doing well. He’s doing everything, so he’s in line to be at that 10-day (return) mark. We might take it a couple extra days, just with Sept. 1st being around the corner. He might even play in a couple rehab games prior to that, but he’s trending in a good way.”
Aaron Boone, Yankees Manager
Rotation Updates and Fernando Cruz’s Season-Ending Elbow Injury
Left-hander Max Fried is positioned to return from a left elbow bone bruise as soon as he is first eligible on Saturday, provided he clears a scheduled Thursday bullpen session. Boone noted that Fried could make a weekend start against Boston.
Not all pitching news brought optimism, however. Relief pitcher Fernando Cruz was placed on the 15-day IL due to right elbow discomfort, with imaging revealing a partial UCL tear that is expected to end his 2026 campaign.
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