Aaron Boone could breathe a little easier Monday when he wrote Anthony Volpe’s name back into the Yankees lineup.
The shortstop missed Sunday’s game with a sore left shoulder after hearing a “pop” on a diving attempt late in Saturday’s game but returned Monday in a 4-3 loss to the Padres with tests and the medical staff clearing him for action.
“I talked to him on the way home [Sunday] night and he said he can do everything,” Boone said before Monday’s game. “Feel like we dodged something there.”
Boone said he expected to monitor Volpe’s shoulder in the coming days as he returned to games, but the durable 24-year-old was “full strength.”
Volpe went 0-for-3 with an RBI sacrifice fly in the loss.
Before the Yankees promoted top prospect George Lombard Jr. to Double-A Somerset on Sunday, they actually debated having him start the year there instead of High-A Hudson Valley.
Instead, the club’s top prospect got off to a red-hot start at High-A to earn the promotion this week to Double-A, where he will become the Eastern League’s youngest player at 19 years old.
“Obviously George is someone we’re super excited about,” Boone said. “He’s certainly earned that next step up to Somerset. Excited for him and the start he’s off to. He’s a special makeup and really good athlete.”
Lombard, who impressed many in the organization in his first big league camp this spring, hit .329 with a .983 OPS in 24 games at High-A this season. The 6-foot-2 shortstop has also played some third base and second base.
“Great head on his shoulders,” Boone said. “Loves the game. Great work ethic. Smart, heady player. But then physically — you’ve really seen that evolve now over the two years. You’ve seen him slowly turning into a man and a big, physical presence.”
It is “possible” that DJ LeMahieu (calf strain) could rejoin the Yankees at some point during their West Coast trip that begins Friday against the A’s, Boone said.
The veteran infielder is expected to continue his rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He was initially expected to play both second and third before returning, but with Jazz Chisholm Jr. out four to six weeks with an oblique strain, the focus has now become second base.
An American League scout who saw LeMahieu play with Double-A Somerset last week said he “took good at-bats” but was not really challenged defensively at second.
Marcus Stroman (knee) threw another bullpen session on Monday. If he recovers from that well, he could advance to facing live hitters later this week, according to Boone. The Yankees could use an effective and healthy Stroman with Carlos Carrasco and Will Warren struggling in the rotation.
Giancarlo Stanton (tennis elbows) ran in the outfield and did some agility drills before Monday’s game as he continues his ramp-up.
