New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe took a significant step in his return from injury Thursday night, notching his first hit of his minor league rehab assignment. Playing for the Double-A Somerset Patriots, Volpe went 1-for-3 with a strikeout over five innings of work.

After facing a tough test against Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler in his first game, Volpe found his rhythm in his third at-bat. With a 3-0 green light in the fifth inning, he drove a pitch back up the middle for a clean single, a positive sign for his timing at the plate.

The Yankees have a mapped-out schedule for their young star. Following back-to-back games Thursday and Friday, Volpe will rest Saturday before returning Sunday. The next phase of his rehab will see him ramp up his workload with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.

While Volpe works his way back, another Yankees prospect continues to turn heads. Top infield prospect George Lombard Jr., who shifted from third base to shortstop after Volpe exited, stayed red-hot at the plate. He went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk, marking his fifth multi-hit game in just ten contests this season. Lombard is now hitting a scorching .425, showcasing the exciting depth in the Yankees' pipeline.