The New York Yankees had the day off Thursday after securing a series victory earlier this week against the Los Angeles Angels.
On Friday, they’ll begin a series in San Diego against the Padres, and Yankees manager Aaron Boone made a notable decision regarding rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr., who has missed the last four games due to injury but was never placed on the IL.
Yankees Announce Lombard Jr. News
Despite some concern over Lombard Jr. missing several games, he’s back in the lineup Friday night and will once again start at shortstop while batting seventh in the order.
Here’s the full Yankees lineup:
Via Underdog MLB: “Yankees 9/4 B. Rice DH C. Bellinger LF L. García Jr. 1B S. Jones RF T. Grisham CF J. Chisholm Jr. 2B G. Lombard Jr. SS R. McMahon 3B A. Wells C M. Fried SP.”
Yankees 9/4
B. Rice DH
C. Bellinger LF
L. García Jr. 1B
S. Jones RF
T. Grisham CF
J. Chisholm Jr. 2B
G. Lombard Jr. SS
R. McMahon 3B
A. Wells CM. Fried SP
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) September 4, 2026
Lombard Jr.’s 2026 Season
After the Yankees called him up to the majors on Aug. 4 as their top prospect, Lombard Jr. has been a pleasant surprise and an important addition with so many injuries across the roster.
He’s had some trouble as of late, especially defensively, but the rookie has held his own across the month of action he’s played.
Across 23 games and 79 at-bats, Lombard Jr. has recorded 12 runs, 20 hits, two home runs and six RBIs. He also owns a .367 slugging percentage and a .677 OPS.
Yankees Right Now
New York enters Friday’s series opener with an 80-60 overall record, which has them 3.0 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the AL East and the American League as a whole.
If the season ended today, they’d host the Boston Red Sox in the Bronx for a best-of-three Wild Card series.
New York Yankees Announce George Lombard Jr. News Before Padres Series