Aaron Judge remains sidelined as the Yankees evaluate his recovery from a rib injury that has shown signs of healing but has not yet met the medical threshold for a return to baseball activities.
The club is waiting on a second opinion before committing to a timeline, a cautious approach that reflects both the star outfielder’s importance and the team’s desire to avoid a setback.
Prospect George Lombard Jr., currently ranked No. 24 on Baseball Prospectus’s mid‑year Top 50 list, made a notable comeback by homering in his first Triple‑A game after injury, sparking optimism about his development trajectory.
Rehab Update: Max Fried
Max Fried has taken steps toward activation, logging three innings in his initial rehab appearance while allowing two runs, and the organization plans at least one more start before a final decision.
The Yankees have also turned their attention to the trade market, eyeing Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman, whose 118 wRC+ and solid defensive metrics have made him an attractive target despite the club’s recent focus on internal options.
Baseball Prospectus’s mid‑year Top 50 ranking underscores the high regard in which Lombard Jr. is held, placing him among the most promising young talents in the system.