Yankees reveal George Lombard Jr. plans before MLB debut vs. Cardinals

Yankees reveal George Lombard Jr. plans before MLB debut vs. Cardinals originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The New York Yankees promoted their No. 1 prospect, shortstop George Lombard Jr., shortly after yesterday’s 13-7 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. 

Anthony Volpe, Jasson Dominguez, and Angel Chivilli were all sent down to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. 

Trade acquisition Heliot Ramos takes Dominguez’s spot on the active roster. The AL East club has not announced who will replace Chivilli. 

Lombard is a shortstop by trade but can also fill in at third and second base. However, Yankees manager Aaron Boone plans to mostly use the 21-year-old at his natural position, he recently said on Talkin’ Yanks. 

Aaron Boone says George Lombard Jr. will be the Yankees primary shortstop moving forward pic.twitter.com/5XiiKrUbfW

— Talkin’ Yanks (@TalkinYanks) August 4, 2026

“Yeah, he’s definitely going to get run,” Boone said when asked if Lombard is the Yankees’ everyday shortstop moving forward. “I’ll pick my spots where I’ll probably give him a day here and there, but yeah, George is coming up to play.” 

For tonight’s middle game against the Cardinals, Lombard will play shortstop and bat eighth. 

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The youngster will wear 96 on the back of his jersey, last worn by reliever Yovanny Cruz before the right-hander was traded to the Washington Nationals in the trade that sent slugging first baseman Luis Garcia Jr. to the Yankees. 

The Yankees have high expectations for Lombard, but it could take a while for him to adjust to Major League pitching. 

Following his promotion from Double-A Somerset to Triple-A, Lombard hit .268/.405/.440 with six homers and a .845 OPS in 56 games. He added 10 stolen bases in 15 attempts. 

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