Yankees to promote top prospect George Lombard Jr., source says; Anthony Volpe sent to minors

The wait to see what George Lombard Jr. looks like in Yankees pinstripes is about to be over.

The team is bringing up its top prospect from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for Tuesday night’s game against the Cardinals at Yankee Stadium. It wasn’t officially announced, but a source confirmed it to Newsday.

General manager Brian Cashman had been asked before Monday night’s 13-7 loss in the series opener if he anticipated the heralded 21-year-old shortstop was going to get his shot soon.

“If he does, we’ll certainly let you know,” Cashman said. “Obviously, tonight that’s not the case and it’s business as usual the way we’re currently set.”

After the game, the Yankees provided a hint by optioning shortstop Anthony Volpe to Triple-A.

Lombard went 4-for-5 with three RBIs against Iowa on Sunday. His slash line was up to .268/.405/.440 with six homers, 21 RBIs and 10 steals in 56 games.

The Yankees made him their first-round pick in 2023, the 26th selection overall, and gave him $3.3 million to sign out of Gulliver Prep in Florida.

He’s 21 now, a righty batter who stands 6-3 and weighs 205. He grew up around the game because of his dad. George Lombard Sr., who was a major-leaguer for six seasons, and is currently the bench coach for the Tigers.

George Jr. is primarily a shortstop, but he can also play second and third.

Jose Caballero has been doing well defensively at short for the Yankees. He came into Monday night’s game second in the majors in defensive runs saved at 10.

He’s batting just .245, albeit with 12 homers, 41 RBIs and 27 steals. Caballero has made 60 starts at short, but he can play all over, having also started games at second and third, as well as in left, center and right this season.

Shortstop was supposed to be Volpe’s for the long term after he won a Gold Glove and hit 21 homers as a rookie in 2023, although he batted only .209.

But he struggled both at bat and in the field at times in these subsequent seasons and was hitting just .240 with one homer and 19 RBIs in 56 games.

David Lennon contributed to this report.