New York Post | Greg Joyce: After last night’s loss to the Blue Jays, the Yankees sent Yovanny Cruz and Spencer Jones down to Triple-A. The moves clear two spots on the active roster, which will be taken presumably by Gerrit Cole and José Caballero today. This would all but confirm that the Yankees will go ahead with Anthony Volpe and Caballero both on the roster, so it’ll be interesting to see how they decide to give them both regular reps since Aaron Boone has spoken so highly of Caballero’s ability at the six.
MLB | Bryan Hoch: The 2026 Yankees sure have endured their fair share of injuries, but here’s some positive news on that front for a change: tests showed that Trent Grisham’s left knee hasn’t sustained any structural damage. The center fielder appeared to be experiencing discomfort in his knee after sliding into second base on a second inning bloop double during Wednesday’s contest, exiting the game in the top of the fifth. An IL stint would have been a real test for the Yankees’ outfield depth – already stretched thin with Jasson Domínguez’s injury – but it looks like they have avoided the worst case scenario. Exhale.
Advertisement
ESPN | Kiley McDaniel: Noted prospect guru Kiley McDaniel has released an update to his Top 50 MLB prospect rankings. Yankee fans rejoice; the crown jewel of their system, George Lombard Jr., ranks 10th, ahead of such notables as the Guardians’ Travis Bazzana and the Blue Jays’ Trey Yesavage. According to McDaniel, Lombard Jr.‘s improved contact rate this year has considerably brightened his outlook. Although the shortstop has cooled off in Triple-A after a blistering start in Double-A, his contact rate gains have held so far despite the promotion. Here’s hoping his bat passes the test; the defense was never the question.
The Wall Street Journal | Jared Diamond: ($) In the fall of 2020, Ivy League baseball had yet to resume, leaving then-Dartmouth player Ben Rice with nowhere to play. His solution? Make his own damn league. Well, maybe “league” is a bit strong, but he, along with some Harvard players, organized scrimmages for local college players at a facility in Worcester, Massachusetts. In this piece, Diamond sheds light on the various hurdles that Rice had to clear in his path to the major leagues as a player with limited exposure. Thank heavens the Yankees noticed the slugger; I shudder to think where they would be now without him.
The Athletic | Chris Kirshner: ($) The emergence of both Cam Schlittler and Ben Rice as elite players comes at a crucial time, argues Kirshner. With core players Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole, and Giancarlo Stanton all well into their thirties, and a front office that spends less time at the top end of the free agent market, the Yankees desperately needed a homegrown talent that could sustain their window of contention – now they might have two. I implore the Yankees to protect them at all costs; please encase them in bubble wrap at all times when they’re not on the field. Just don’t forget to add holes for breathing.
