The New York Yankees enter Sunday’s series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays looking to claim the weekend set after splitting the first two contests.
Manager Aaron Boone adjusted the batting order with the return of outfielder Cody Bellinger from the injured list. Bellinger completed his rehabilitation assignment and reported no issues, clearing the way for his immediate insertion into the lineup.
Bellinger will bat fourth and start in left field. That shift pushed shortstop George Lombard Jr. into the fifth spot, one place higher than the sixth position he occupied a day earlier.
The full Yankees lineup for the afternoon game reads: Trent Grisham in center field, Ben Rice as the designated hitter, Luis García Jr. at first base, Cody Bellinger in left field, George Lombard Jr. at shortstop, Spencer Jones in right field, Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second base, Austin Wells behind the plate, José Caballero at third base and Carlos Rodón on the mound.
Lombard Jr. has drawn steady attention since joining the major league club on Aug. 4. He has appeared in all 16 of his games at shortstop and quickly established himself as a reliable presence in the field.
His defensive numbers stand out. In his first 11 contests he compiled eight Defensive Runs Saved, a pace that ranked him among the top five shortstops in the majors at the time.
At the plate Lombard Jr. has contributed steadily as well. He carries a .273 batting average into Sunday’s game, along with 10 runs scored, 15 hits, two home runs and five runs batted in. His slugging percentage sits at .400 and his on-base-plus-slugging mark at .739.
Boone’s decision to elevate the young shortstop reflects growing confidence in the 22-year-old’s all-around game. Lombard Jr. has shown the ability to handle everyday duties while the Yankees navigate a competitive stretch of the schedule.
Bellinger’s return adds another left-handed bat to the middle of the order and restores flexibility in the outfield alignment. The veteran’s presence behind García Jr. and ahead of Lombard Jr. creates a stretch of hitters capable of driving the baseball.
Rodón draws the starting assignment for the Yankees as they try to take the rubber match. The left-hander will face a Blue Jays lineup that has already shown it can push the Bronx Bombers across the first two games.
Sunday’s contest carries extra weight for both clubs as the regular season moves deeper into August. The Yankees will look to capitalize on the refreshed lineup and the continued development of Lombard Jr. at a key defensive position.
Fans at Yankee Stadium will see a mix of established stars and emerging talent when the first pitch is thrown. Lombard Jr.’s move up the order is the clearest sign yet that the organization views him as more than a temporary fill-in.
The shortstop’s early defensive metrics and solid contact at the plate have given Boone reason to keep him in the thick of the action.
With Bellinger back and the order reshuffled, the Yankees hope the combination produces results against Toronto.
