The New York Yankees have split the first two games of their weekend series against the Toronto Blue Jays, setting up an intriguing rubber match on Sunday afternoon.
Ahead of the matchup, Yankees manager Aaron Boone made some notable lineup changes with slugger Cody Bellinger returning from the IL. Bellinger is back in the lineup after completing his rehab assignment without any reported setbacks.
Yankees Make George Lombard Jr. Change
Bellinger’s return has shuffled the order, with shortstop George Lombard Jr. continuing to move up the lineup.
After batting sixth on Saturday, Lombard Jr. will hit fifth on Sunday, directly behind Bellinger, who will bat cleanup and start in left field.
Here’s the full Yankees lineup:
Via Underdog MLB: “Yankees 8/23 T. Grisham CF B. Rice DH L. García Jr. 1B C. Bellinger LF G. Lombard Jr. SS S. Jones RF J. Chisholm Jr. 2B A. Wells C J. Caballero 3B C. Rodón SP.”
Yankees 8/23
T. Grisham CF
B. Rice DH
L. García Jr. 1B
C. Bellinger LF
G. Lombard Jr. SS
S. Jones RF
J. Chisholm Jr. 2B
A. Wells C
J. Caballero 3BC. Rodón SP
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) August 23, 2026
Lombard Jr.’s 2026 Campaign
Although he has only been in the majors since Aug. 4, Lombard Jr. has already impressed through his first 16 games, all of which have come at shortstop.
His defense has been particularly impressive. He recorded eight Defensive Runs Saved in his first 11 games, an extraordinary rate that put him among the top five MLB shortstops in the category.
Lombard Jr. has also been solid at the plate. He enters Sunday batting .273 with 10 runs, 15 hits, two home runs and five RBIs while slugging .400 with a .739 OPS.
New York Yankees Make George Lombard Jr. Change Before Blue Jays Series Finale