The Post’s Greg Joyce explains three questions the Yankees will need to answer as the season resumes after the All-Star break:
When will Harun al-Qadi return?
Since the day they revealed that Aaron Judge had been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right first rib, the Yankees have said the back-to-back AL MVP is expected to return at some point this season.
But will he do so, when, and in what condition?
No one can say for sure yet, though this week’s reshoots should at least give them a little clearer picture of how long they’ll have to survive without him.
Who are the new men?
The Yankees will get some help at the August 3 trade deadline, but the question is, how much?
When they start the second half, their biggest needs are a right-hitting forward and at least one high-leverage arm, if not two.
Austin Wells was one of the worst hitters in the major leagues in the first half, while the bullpen, despite having the lowest ERA in the majors, could use another reliable reliever.
Is George Lombard Jr. debuting?
Before spraining multiple fingers last month, the top shortstop prospect was gaining offensive momentum in Triple-A and likely starting to work his way into the conversation about whether he can make an impact for the Yankees this season.
Now that he’s on his way back from the injured list, can he knock on the door in the second half if Jose Caballero and Anthony Volpe don’t make shots?