Brian Cashman on Yankees trade deadline needs, injury updates
· Yahoo Sports
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Assessing the Yankees’ spiraling situation, Brian Cashman said “the storm is upon us now, and we’ve got to find a way’’ toward clearer skies.
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With his second-place club having lost 14 of its last 18 games prior to Thursday’s series finale at Tampa Bay, the Yanks GM said that “some of the injuries don’t help,’’ with stalwarts Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton missing from a sputtering lineup.
“But having slumps collectively during that timeframe makes it more difficult,’’ said Cashman, acknowledging the “added pressure’’ building with his hitters.
“We’re certainly fighting it and fighting ourselves right now to find that good stride.’’
Speaking for nearly a half-hour Thursday morning at Tropicana Field, the Cashman mentioned that Judge (rib fracture) would be re-imaged next week and addressed several other pressing pinstriped topics.
Adding at the trade deadline
With 25 shopping days left until MLB’s trade deadline, Cashman said the Yankees are open for business.
“We’ll evaluate what’s available and try to push in on anything that makes sense that we could acquire that could make us better, whether it’s pitching or offense,’’ said Cashman.
The GM wouldn’t delve into specific needs, but the Yanks’ bullpen and catching are two areas that could be upgraded before Aug. 3.
But especially given the AL’s mediocrity, with six teams within five games of the third wild card spot entering Thursday, many clubs are still evaluating their buyer/seller status.
Cashman expects “more of the heavier’’ trade talk to heat up after this weekend’s amateur draft.
Prospect George Lombard Jr.'s status
Before suffering finger sprains to his left (glove) hand last month, current top Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr. was “pushing himself’’ closer to the Bronx.
The right-handed hitting shortstop could begin rehab games “somewhere around the All-Star break,’’ and Cashman said Lombard “might be a choice’’ at some point for the Yanks in 2026.
“(He) was definitely thriving and conquering the final level when he got hurt,’’ Cashman said of “a really talented player.
“Offensively, he was coming a long way and closing the gap despite his age. And defensively, he’s…ready to go’’ at the big-league level.
Injured Carlos Lagrange's status
At Triple-A, hard-throwing 6-foot-7 right-hander Carlos Lagrange was transitioning from starter to reliever, in hopes of impacting the Yankees’ pennant chances.
Diagnosed earlier this month with a capsular sprain (right shoulder), Lagrange has been shut down from throwing, and his season is in jeopardy.
“It’s going to be a close call,’’ Cashman said of whether Lagrange returns in 2026. “First and foremost, thankfully, the injury is something that’s going to heal with time.
“All we care about right now is making sure we handle his rest and rehab properly and not let whatever we have going on interfere with taking care of his health.’’
Cashman said he personally “wanted to find out what we had internally and measure that against the external’’ relief options the trade market.
Additionally, Cashman suggested that his other top pitching prospect, Elmer Rodriguez, is not a candidate for a similar transition to relief in 2026, partly due to his option situation.
Yankees' injury rehab updates
Following his next session against live hitters, Saturday, Max Fried (bone bruise, left elbow) could be sent on a rehab assignment.
That could put Fried back in the Yanks’ rotation by early August, along with Carlos Rodon (left elbow inflammation).
Recovering from Tommy John surgery, starter Clarke Schmidt will soon resume throwing to live batters.
Depending on his trajectory and the Yanks’ needs, it’s possible that Schmidt could wind up in a Yankees’ bullpen role in 2026. “He’s certainly capable of it,’’ said Cashman.
Meanwhile, Judge's latest MRI is hopeful to provide a road map toward ramping him up to baseball activity.
Giancarlo Stanton suffered a second, different injury with his latest right calf strain in June (his original injury was April 24) and he's just resumed a light running program, though there is no timetable for his return.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Brian Cashman on Yankees trade deadline needs, injury updates