Well, at least the Yankees don’t have to worry about George Lombard Jr.’s defense for the time being. 

His offense is another story. 

The rookie shortstop’s malaise at the plate continued Saturday afternoon in the Subway Series. After his 0-for-3 day in the Mets’ 12-2 rout, Lombard is 3-for-27 in September and 4-for-34 with 11 strikeouts dating to Aug. 28. His opposite-field grand slam against the Rockies on Wednesday was one of few highlights over the past three weeks. 

“It’s a constant game of adjustments. Pitchers are finding ways to get you out and you’re trying to figure out the opposite,” Lombard said. “I probably have missed a couple of my pitches. It’s every single day trying to make those little adjustments and get my swing off as much as possible.” 

After a quick start at the plate — Lombard homered in his debut on Aug. 4 — he has struggled against major league pitching.

A big issue: missing his pitch, as he referred to. He’s fouling off too many hittable pitches. 

Marcus Semien of the New York Mets completes a seventh-inning-ending double play after forcing out George Lombard Jr. of the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in New York City. Getty Images

“In this league especially, as good as these guys are, when you get a pitch to handle you need to not [just] put a good swing on it — you need to stick it,” manager Aaron Boone said. “That’s probably where he missed here for a few days.” 

New York Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. reacts after striking out swinging in the third inning on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

The Yankees, it should be noted, put Lombard in a tough spot, asking the top prospect to produce immediately in the heat of a pennant race. He was bound to hit some rough spots. But he’s glad he has this opportunity. 

“I look at this no different than the adjustments I made at every other level,” said Lombard, who is now batting .217 with an OPS of .620. “The main focus is always going to be winning games and playing to win, trying to put the team in a good spot. That’s always a big focus and the adjustments you work on when you can. 

“You get your work in with the hitting coaches, try to make little changes when you can. The main focus is always playing the game hard and winning games.”