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Ryan McMahon gets concerning update on future with Yankees.
The New York Yankees opened the 2026 MLB season with a blowout win over the San Francisco Giants.
New York looks like a team to beat this season, despite the Yankees running back a very similar roster. However, New York could look to make some additions during the season via trades or calling up some top prospects.
Although the Yankees’ infield seems to be set, especially once Anthony Volpe returns from injury, one insider believes New York could look to improve on Ryan McMahon at third base. The Yankees acquired McMahon last season, but MLB insider Jim Bowden of The Athletic predicts New York will call up George Lombard Jr. to be the everyday third baseman by mid-season.
“Yankees’ top prospect George Lombard Jr. is called up before the All-Star break and becomes the everyday third baseman for New York for the remainder of the season,” Bowden wrote for one of his predictions.
If Lombard does become the Yankees’ starting third baseman, what this means for McMahon is uncertain. The glove-first infielder could become a bench player who can play all over the infield, or New York could look to trade him.
McMahon is in the fifth year of his six-year, $70 million deal with the Yankees. He hit .214 with 20 home runs and 53 RBIs last season.
Yankees Not Ruling Out Lombard Playing in MLB This Season
Although Lombard didn’t make the Yankees’ Opening Day roster, the top prospect could make an impact this season.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone was impressed with the prospect and admitted he could make an impact for the team this season.
“I wouldn’t rule it out,” Boone told Sal Licata in a March 22 video about Lombard having an impact on the big league club this season. “He’s really physical and continues to develop, especially for such a young player. Great makeup, strong baseball IQ, and a solid work ethic. He has all the right ingredients, paired with being a tremendous defender. There’s real pop at the plate, and he controls the strike zone well.
“We just need to keep developing the hit tool and continue improving in that area. He finished at Double-A last year, where he had some struggles but also some success. Right now, the focus is on getting him going. But I wouldn’t rule out the possibility that he’s closer than people think.”
Lombard is primarily a second baseman and shortstop, but he can also play third base, which Bowden predicts. The 20-year-old reached AA last season, hitting .215 with 8 home runs and 36 RBIs in 108 games.
New York Starts Season Off Strong
The Yankees opened the season with a bang, as New York beat the San Francisco Giants 7-0 on Wednesday.
It was a great performance from the Yankees, and Boone was pleased with the team’s game.
“You want to get that first win, first hits,” Boone said. “You want to get into that normal rhythm of the season, which takes a little bit of time. Obviously, it was a great way to start things.”
Boone, meanwhile, also believes the Yankees proved they can without the long ball or Aaron Judge carrying the team.
“On a night when we didn’t hit the ball out of the ballpark, we had a lot of good pressurized at-bats,” Boone said. “We can beat you in a lot of different ways.”
New York will return to the field on Friday against the Giants.
Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL, MLB and Cleveland Browns for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton
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