Carlos Rodón is making his comeback count. In his second minor league rehab start for the Yankees, the left-hander delivered an impressive performance Thursday night, striking out eight batters over 5 1/3 innings with Double-A Somerset.

Facing the Portland Sea Dogs—a Boston Red Sox affiliate—Rodón was sharp from the start. He allowed just five hits and walked none, throwing 51 of his 75 pitches for strikes. The only blemish on his line came in the fifth inning, when Miguel Bleis led off with a solo home run.

The 33-year-old veteran began the season on the 15-day injured list after undergoing surgery last October to remove loose bodies from his left elbow and shave a bone spur. His recovery hit a brief snag in late March when he felt tightness in his right hamstring while throwing at the Yankees' Florida complex, but he's clearly back on track now.

This outing follows a strong debut for High-A Hudson Valley on April 24, where Rodón tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings on 65 pitches. He's expected to make at least one more minor league start before rejoining New York's rotation—a welcome boost for a team always hungry for quality arms.

In other Yankees prospect news, top infield prospect George Lombard Jr. made his Triple-A debut for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday. The 20-year-old shortstop, son of former major leaguer George Lombard, walked, flied out, and singled in his first three plate appearances against the Buffalo Bisons. He earned the promotion after hitting .312 with eight doubles, four homers, and 10 RBIs in 20 games with Somerset.

For Yankees fans, these are encouraging signs. Rodón's rehab is progressing smoothly, and Lombard's bat continues to heat up as he climbs the ladder. If you're looking to gear up for the season ahead, now's the time to stock up on Yankees apparel and show your support for the next wave of talent.