ANAHEIM, Calif. — Monday’s series opener ended 10-1 for the Yankees at Angel Stadium. On Tuesday, they need a cleaner night after one of their messiest losses of the season.
However, their most energetic asset George Lombard Jr. has become a daily roster question after suffering a knee issue. The 21-year-old Yankees rookie has not played since leaving the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader against Boston. He missed Sunday’s finale against the Red Sox and Monday’s opener in Anaheim.
The Yankees got encouraging medical news after the injury. Imaging showed no structural damage, and MLB’s official injury tracker says Lombard is dealing with inflammation and soreness near the kneecap and patella tendon. He tested the knee with agility work Monday after the discomfort first surfaced on a checked swing. The progress offered reassurance, but it did not settle how Boone would handle Lombard for Tuesday night. New York also entered Tuesday without a full announced lineup, leaving shortstop among the day’s unresolved roster questions.
Yankees hold Lombard out again
The Yankees have now made their decision for Game 2. Lombard will not start Tuesday against the Angels, extending his absence to a third straight game.
Manager Aaron Boone also indicated that the club does not currently expect to place the rookie on the injured list. He stopped short of closing that door, leaving the Yankees in a day-to-day evaluation while they see how the knee responds to increased activity.
Talkin’ Yanks summarized Boone’s Tuesday update after speaking with the manager before the game. The post captured both parts of the Yankees’ position: another night out of the lineup, but no immediate IL move.
“Aaron Boone tells us George Lombard Jr. will not be in the lineup tonight but he ran and took ground balls yesterday. Boone does not anticipate an IL stint, but wouldn’t rule it out”
That distinction matters. Lombard is not cleared to return, but the Yankees have seen enough progress to keep open the possibility of a quick comeback.
Roster expansion changes the calculation
September gives the Yankees more room to make that choice.
MLB active rosters expand from 26 players to 28 on Sept. 1, with clubs permitted to carry up to 14 pitchers. That two-player buffer did not exist when Lombard first hurt his knee Saturday. It allows the Yankees to wait another day without reducing their usable bench as sharply as they would have in August.
The timing also coincides with Ryan McMahon’s expected return from a sprained left thumb. That gives the Yankees another experienced infielder while Lombard remains unavailable. Jose Caballero has handled shortstop during Lombard’s absence, including Monday’s loss.
The extra roster space changes the risk calculation. If Lombard keeps advancing without a setback, the Yankees can preserve a short-term return without committing him to an IL stay.
Lombard’s first month makes the wait meaningful
Lombard’s absence matters because he had moved quickly from prospect status into a real role.
The Yankees selected his contract from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Aug. 4. MLB’s official player page lists him at .253 with two home runs, six RBIs, one stolen base and a .677 OPS through 79 at-bats. He also became the first Yankees shortstop to homer in his major league debut.
The injury occurred in the second inning Saturday against Boston. Lombard checked his swing, showed immediate discomfort and briefly remained in the game. He later singled before Caballero replaced him at shortstop to begin the fourth inning.
Sunday’s MRI eased fears of a major injury, but the Yankees have not reached the point where one successful workout is enough to put Lombard back into a major league game.
For a rookie in a postseason race, the knee must pass more than a pain test. Lombard has to run, stop, change direction and react defensively at game speed.
Game 2 keeps pressure on the decision
The Yankees will send Gerrit Cole to the mound Tuesday at 9:38 p.m. ET against Angels right-hander Grayson Rodriguez. MLB lists Cole at 7-7 with a 3.19 ERA and 105 strikeouts. Rodriguez is 4-5 with a 6.03 ERA.
New York’s official lineup page still listed the full batting order as TBD earlier Tuesday, but Lombard’s status is settled. He will not be among the starters.
Boone’s update leaves the Yankees in a narrow middle ground. The medical picture is favorable enough to avoid an IL move for now, and Lombard has resumed running and defensive work. At the same time, three straight missed starts show the knee is not yet ready for a normal workload.
Tuesday’s decision buys the Yankees another day without turning a short-term problem into a longer absence on paper. The next test is whether Lombard’s knee responds well enough to make Wednesday’s finale, or the weekend in San Diego, a realistic return point.
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