NEW YORK – As he progressed through Saturday night’s game, George Lombard Jr. felt his right knee tightening up.
“Didn’t want to push it too much,” said the Yankees’ rookie shortstop, who exited after three innings.
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Lombard is not in the Yankees’ lineup for Sunday’s important regular season finale against the Red Sox, with the season series on the line – and potentially home field advantage in another wild card series.
Structurally, Lombard’s knee is fine, per Saturday’s MRI. There’s “a little inflammation and kind of soreness in the patella-kneecap area,” and he’s not sure if he’s an available player Sunday.
“Hopefully, it stays day-to-day and he’s back in there soon,” said manager Aaron Boone, who sends Will Warren to the mound vs. Red Sox’s lefty Ranger Suarez.
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Before the game, the Yanks recalled Luis Gil from Triple-A and optioned reliever Yerry de los Santos, who pitched in both ends of Saturday’s split doubleheader.
“He’s been throwing the ball well” and has been “in that conversation the last couple of times we’ve been n a positon to call somebody up,” Boone said of adding Gil to his bullpen mix, with the ability to provide length.
There’s at least a chance that Gil can “be a factor and play a role for us,” Boone said.
Meanwhile, Clarke Schmidt came out of Saturday’s first minor league rehab appearance in good shape, and now it’s about building stamina and refining his arsenal.
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“Just a big step in the process. Thought the stuff was sharp,” said Schmidt, who expects to pitch again Wednesday, hoping to impact the Yanks’ bullpen sometime in September.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees vs. Red Sox live updates, analysis of Sunday’s AL East game
