MLB.com | Matthew Ritchie: George Lombard Jr. has impressed since his call-up last week, not just with his tools on the field, but the way he’s comported himself through all the hoopla. The rookie himself credited the wide range of voices he can seek in the Yankees clubhouse. There are, of course, numerous veterans, MVPs and champions across the roster that a player like Lombard can seek out, but Lombard also noted the importance of the Yankees’ other young talents in making his transition to the majors easier. “Having Spencer [Jones] and Ben [Rice], guys that have come up through the org and you’ve played with someone coming up, they both have helped a lot”, Lombard said. “Like just getting different perspectives, asking them a bunch of things… They’ve definitely made me feel more comfortable.”
Lombard didn’t cross over that much with Jones and Rice during their respective routes through the minors, but both have very recent experience with rising through the Yankee farm system and earning a spot on the biggest stage, experience that must prove invaluable to others going through the same process.
New York Post | Mark Suleymanov: The Yankees need bats, but the next bit of reinforcement they’re likely to receive comes in the form of even more pitching. Carlos Rodón, working back from elbow inflammation, made his second rehab start this week and looked sharp, striking out seven over 4.1 innings with Double-A Somerset. His next outing very well may come in the majors. It’s possible the Yankees will look to piggyback Rodón with someone like Will Warren the next time out to continue to slowly build up Rodón’s workload, something Rodon said he’d be fine with. “I’m willing to do whatever to help our team win,” Rodón said. “If they think that’s the avenue they want to go, I’m ready to perform and help our team win.”
SNY | Phillip Martinez: Thankfully, it looks like Cody Bellinger isn’t far behind Rodón on the recovery train. Bellinger did some more on-field work ahead of Friday night’s game in Toronto, and Aaron Boone said Bellinger could be in line for a rehab assignment some time next week. Everything appears to be lining up for a return around the end of the month for Bellinger.
The Athletic | Chris Kirschner: Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s struggles have been a hot topic lately, with the second baseman mired in another slump as part of a career-worst campaign. Chisholm said this week that he’s at a loss, and that he’s tried everything. “I swing up. I swing down. I’ve tried to fix it a couple of different ways. When I fix it, it’s still unlucky.” Chisholm doesn’t feel that a spell on the bench would help, telling reporters “I think if I was to sit for a couple days, I don’t think that would help. Just play through it.” That said, perhaps a more aggressive platoon could be in order; Chisholm’s 74 wRC+ against lefties has been a liability this year.
MLB.com | Maria Guardado: MLB announced yesterday that the San Francisco Giants would host the 2028 MLB All-Star Game at Oracle Park. It has not yet been decided if MLB players will be able to compete in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, but the league decided that planning for a Midsummer Classic elsewhere in California would help keep that possibility open. It will be the fourth time San Francisco has hosted the All-Star Game, and the first since 2007, the year Ichiro Suzuki won MVP thanks to an inside-the-park home run:
And some minor-league roster news: Angel Chivilli, currently with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders has been placed on the 7-day IL, while Scranton has signed reliever Justin Topa to a minor league deal. Also, Mitch Garver, the veteran catcher signed after his release from the Mariners, has joined the RailRiders.