The New York Yankees have shared an update regarding the status of the franchise's top prospect, shortstop George Lombard Jr. Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters on Thursday that Lombard, New York's No. 1 prospect for 2026 on MLB Pipeline, is "close to a return" from the injury that's sidelined him since the middle of June, according to The Athletic's Chris Kirschner. The 21-year-old has reportedly resumed hitting and fielding after spraining a couple of fingers on his glove hand last month. On June 16, Lombard was forced to exit his Triple-A game early after he appeared to injure his left hand while attempting to catch and tag out a runner trying to steal second base. Then, the next day, the Yankees announced that while all tests came back negative, the top prospect was dealing with a few sprained fingers. But now, the fact that the 2023 first-round draft pick is resuming baseball activities is a good sign that he could return to game action soon. Brian Cashman suggests George Lombard Jr. still has a chance to make his MLB debut this yearNew York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, far right, and manager Aaron Boone, second from right, on the field for practice on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, in the Bronx.