NYY News: Volpe dodges a bullet Anthony Volpe experienced a terrifying moment during Saturday’s game against the Rays, suffering a left shoulder injury after a diving stop in the eighth inning. The injury led to a prolonged period on the ground, with Volpe remaining in pain for over a minute. Fortunately, initial assessments suggest he and the Yankees narrowly avoided a serious setback, as X-ray and MRI imaging revealed no structural damage. Volpe described hearing a distinct ‘pop’ in his shoulder as he landed awkwardly, resulting in him sitting out Sunday’s loss as a precautionary measure, though lingering discomfort persisted in the joint. Current projections indicate Volpe will be considered day-to-day, with plans for him to engage in light hitting drills at Yankee Stadium following the midday game.

This injury comes amidst a period of exciting developments within the Yankees’ farm system, most notably the promotion of George Lombard Jr., their top prospect. Lombard Jr., the son of former MLB outfielder George Lombard Sr. and current Detroit Tigers bench coach, has been delivering exceptional performances, currently slashing .329/.495/.488 with a remarkable 13 RBIs, 11 steals, and a stellar 184 wRC+ across 111 plate appearances in 24 games at High-A. His consistent hitting, mature demeanor, and newly adopted batting stance during spring training have earned him recognition as the Yankees’ ‘untouchable’ prospect, consistently ranked No. 1 overall by MLB Pipeline and even securing a place within the top 100 overall prospects nationally. Lombard Jr.’s impressive statistics and poised performance have solidified his position as a key figure in the Yankees’ future.

Beyond Volpe and Lombard Jr., the Yankees also received positive injury updates. Clarke Schmidt, initially scratched from his scheduled Saturday start against the Rays due to left side soreness, is now confident he can take the ball to start against the Padres on Tuesday, following clean MRI results and no further setbacks. This news represents a significant boost for the Yankees’ rotation. Conversely, the situation surrounding Jazz Chisholm Jr. remains concerning. MRI tests revealed three high-grade tears in his right oblique muscle, confirming the initially reported four-to-six week recovery timeframe. Despite his assurances of feeling fine, the injury necessitates a significant period of rehabilitation.

Finally, the Yankees’ bullpen gained a valuable reinforcement with Jonathan Loáisiga completing his third rehab appearance for the Tampa Tarpons. Across these three outings, Loáisiga pitched 3.1 innings, allowing one run on two hits while striking out seven and walking none. His sinker, averaging 96 mph, is expected to be a welcome addition to the big league bullpen. Loáisiga signed a one-year, $5 million deal to return to the Yankees following an elbow injury and subsequent internal brace surgical procedure, missing most of the 2024 season. These developments across the Yankees’ roster highlight a blend of recovery, promotion, and strategic reinforcement as they navigate the ongoing baseball season.