BRIDGEWATER, NJ — As Giancarlo Stanton took batting follow at TD Financial institution Ballpark on Tuesday, all eyes have been on the Yankees designated hitter whereas he ready for the beginning of a rehab task.
That included these of George Lombard Jr. The Yankees’ high prospect was a part of Stanton’s pregame hitting group, and he hit third in opposition to the Portland Sea Canine with the veteran, sidelined by tennis elbows, batting second.
“It’ll be fun to watch him,” Lombard mentioned. “I obtained to see him play somewhat bit final 12 months in spring coaching. After which this 12 months, clearly I didn’t get to see him a lot as a result of he was coping with some accidents, but it surely’ll be enjoyable. I’m glad that he’s right here.
“I’ll be locked in on him.”
Solely 20 years previous, Lombard made a robust impression on nearly everybody within the Yankees’ group this previous spring. The son of former outfielder George Lombard, he wowed not solely along with his play, however his demeanor and luxury at huge league camp.
Rely the 35-year-old Stanton among the many enthralled, as the long run Corridor of Famer mentioned that he’s “not surprised at all” to see Lombard attain Double-A already.
“When you’ve got the makeup that he does, and the determination and the want to get better, and just being a sponge with the knowledge he can get to go apply it, good things happen,” Stanton mentioned. “So not surprised. For me, Double-A was the biggest jump in the minor leagues. So the adjustments here kind of get you your groundwork for the big leagues. So he’ll download all that.”
Requested extra about Lombard’s make-up, Stanton added, “You just have to have a couple conversations with him to understand that. If you’re a decent reader of people, you just pick those things up with a few conversations and questions.”
Lombard, a shortstop who has additionally performed second and third, has solely been at Double-A for a number of weeks after beginning the season at Excessive-A. He entered Tuesday’s recreation hitting .200/.344/.260 with 4 extra-base hits, zero house runs, seven RBI and eight stolen bases over 29 video games for Somerset.
Some struggles are to be anticipated, as most gamers at Double-A are 3-to-4 years older than Lombard. Previous to Tuesday’s contest, he famous that video games are cleaner, hitters have extra of a plan, and pitchers are sharper at Double-A.
“I think it’s just understanding how the game flows at this level and making sure the game’s not speeding up on you,” Lombard mentioned when requested about changes he’s needed to make.
Luckily for Lombard, he’s had the prospect to be taught from a number of huge leaguers.
He lately picked Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s mind through the third baseman’s personal rehab task, and he regarded ahead to extra chats with Stanton this week.
Again in spring coaching, the 2 talked about sticking to a course of, the pressures of being a highly-touted prospect at a younger age, and Stanton’s experiences within the huge leagues.
“It’s definitely important, when they’re here, to take as much as you can from them,” Lombard mentioned. “Whether it’s talking about the game, talking about off the field habits, whatever it may be, they have a wealth of knowledge and a lot of experience around the game, so it’s a lot we can take from them.”
Somerset Getting One other Large Leaguer
Stanton gained’t be the one huge leaguer in Somerset on Wednesday, as Aaron Boone mentioned that Marcus Stroman is scheduled to start a rehab task with the Patriots, per The Bergen Report’s Pete Caldera.
Stroman has been slowly working his manner again from knee irritation, although it’s unclear how he would match into the Yankees’ pitching plans as soon as his task ends. The crew at present has a full rotation, and the veteran said that he wouldn’t pitch out of the bullpen in spring coaching. That was earlier than Stroman recorded an 11.57 ERA and a few of the worst stuff in baseball previous to getting harm, although.
Concern Over Cousins
The Yankees pulled Jake Cousins from his rehab task on Tuesday after the reliever felt a difficulty along with his elbow, per the New York Publish’s Greg Joyce. Cousins initially landed on the injured listing with a flexor pressure, and he lately handled a pec concern as effectively.
He went for an MRI and met with crew physician Chris Ahmad on Tuesday.
Cousins’ most up-to-date setback solely underscores the Yankees’ want so as to add a reliever or two earlier than the commerce deadline. The crew expects Luke Weaver to return from a hamstring pressure finally, however the pen might use one other high-leverage arm to protect in opposition to burnout down the stretch and within the playoffs.
