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MLB

Patriots Notebook: Somerset Splits Series with Reading, Heads South for Showdown with Richmond

By Somerset Patriots
April 21, 2026

Bridgewater, New Jersey – The Patriots split a six-game slate with Reading this past week in a series that was decided by an average margin of victory of just two runs. Despite sitting at 6-8 overall on the young season, Somerset finds itself just 2.5 games out of the division

Bridgewater, New Jersey – The Patriots split a six-game slate with Reading this past week in a series that was decided by an average margin of victory of just two runs. Despite sitting at 6-8 overall on the young season, Somerset finds itself just 2.5 games out of the division lead as it packs its bags and hits the road this week. The Patriots will travel over 300 miles south for their first Southeast Divisional opponent of the season when they lock horns with the Richmond Flying Squirrels at their brand-new home at CarMax Park. At 12-2 overall, the San Francisco Giants affiliate sports the best mark in the Eastern League entering action on Tuesday.

Here are some news, notes and tidbits surrounding the Patriots heading into this week’s action.

Volpe Homecoming: Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe, who underwent offseason surgery to repair a partially torn left labrum, began a rehab assignment with the Patriots at TD Bank Ballpark last week. Volpe, who returned to TD Bank Ballpark for the first time since 2022, played in four games with the Patriots against the Reading Fightin Phils last week. The 2023 Gold Glove award winner went 4-for-11 with 2 runs scored and 2 stolen bases while playing a sound series on the defensive end.

“I just feel good and I just can’t wait to get back out there,” Volpe said. “Putting everything behind me and having a fresh start and a healthy start is really exciting.”

The Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders announced Monday evening that Volpe was scheduled to continue his rehab assignment with the team on Tuesday when they returned home to take on Rochester.

Cole World: Yankees ace Gerrit Cole joined the big-league party in Bridgewater against Reading last Friday for his first non-Spring Training start since Game 5 of the World Series back in 2024. Cole’s start with Somerset, which was the first of what is expected to be several rehab outings along the way, was the first major milestone for the 35-year-old right-hander after undergoing Tommy John surgery that cost him all of the 2025 campaign. The 2023 AL Cy Young award winner tossed 44 pitches over 4.1 IP against the Fightin Phils. He surrendered three earned runs, all in the second inning, while striking out three batters and walking just one.

Postgame, Cole mentioned how fun it was to get back out on the mound and face game situations with the extra adrenaline and crowd.

“The rehab process is long, and each phase has its own challenges,” Cole said. “I feel like right now where we’re at, it’s about making sure you execute the process, and not looking ahead."

Lombard Jr. Scorching: Yankees top-prospect George Lombard Jr. continued his torrid start to the season for Somerset by going 6-for-24 with a HR and five RBI in six games against Reading last week. The 20-year-old infielder, who saw his first action of the season at third base last week with Anthony Volpe in town, recorded two multi-hit efforts on the week and wrapped the series by taking rehabbing Phillies ace Zack Wheeler deep for his third homer through 13 games this season. After needing 63 games to hit that mark in 2025, Lombard Jr. is now slashing .365/.433/.654 with nine RBI and three stolen bases.

Wilmy in Tow: The Yankees swung a trade on Monday afternoon that sent infielder Braden Shewmake to the Houston Astros for right-hander Wilmy Sanchez. After the completion of the trade, the Patriots announced that Sanchez had been assigned to the team. The 22-year-old Sanchez spent all of last season in Double-A and opened the 2026 campaign back there again. Through five games this season with the Corpus Christi Hooks, he's notched a 1.29 ERA with eight strikeouts in 7.0 IP, while allowing just three hits. In 105 career appearances dating back to 2022, the Dominican-native has pitched to a 3.80 career ERA , striking out 248 batters in 189.1 IP.

Hess Grounded: Somerset placed No. 5 prospect Ben Hess on the 7-day IL on Saturday with an undisclosed injury. In two starts this season, Hess has posted a 3.52 ERA and has fanned 14 batters in 7.2 IP.

Punching Them Out: Patriots pitching recorded 12 strikeouts against Reading in Sunday’s series finale. The staff has now fanned eight or more batters in 13 of the team's 14 games played this season. The Patriots' 11.0 K/9 is the best mark in the Eastern League entering action on Tuesday.

Coby Streaking: First baseman Coby Morales drove in his team-leading 13th RBI on Sunday which ranks third-best in the Yankees system and fourth-best in the EL. The 24-year-old Morales is riding an active 13 game on-base streak which ranks second in the league and is the longest by a Patriots hitter since Spencer Jones had a 15-game streak last June.

Knowing the Opponent: The Patriots pull into town to take on Richmond for the first time this season. The Flying Squirrels sport the best record in the Eastern League with a 12-2 mark. The Giants affiliate has hit an EL best .304 and scored 105 runs in just 14 games.

San Francisco’s No. 7 prospect Bo Davidson is the top ranked prospect for Richmond. After hitting 18 homers and driving in 70 runs last season, the 2023 undrafted free agent has already blasted four home runs and driven in 10 in just 11 games of action.

Probable Pitching Matchups at Richmond

Tuesday 4/21: RHP Logan Martin (0-0, 4.32 ERA) vs. RHP Chase Chaney (1-0, 1.54 ERA

Wednesday 4/22: LHP Greg Farone (0-0, 4.63 ERA) vs. RHP Trent Sellers (0-1, 11.25 ERA)

Thursday 4/23: LHP Joe Whitman (1-1, 6.59 ERA) vs. RHP Cade Smith (0-0, 6.75 ERA)

Friday 4/24: RHP Trystan Vrieling (0-0, 6.17 ERA vs. LHP Xavier Rivas (0-2, 9.00 ERA)

Saturday 4/25: RHP Darien Smith (2-0, 1.29 ERA) vs. LHP Kyle Carr (1-2, 6.75 ERA)

Sunday 4/26: LHP Greg Farone (0-0, 4.63 ERA) vs. RHP Chase Chaney (1-0, 1.54 ERA)

Matt Kardos | SomersetPatriots.com Senior Writer

Matt Kardos has covered the Yankees minor league system for over a decade and will spend his 14th season on the beat covering the Patriots for SomersetPatriots.com. Throughout his career, Matt has contributed to MLB.com, YES Network and Pinstriped Prospects. When he’s not at the ballpark, Matt enjoys traveling with his wife Kimberly, watching Jets football and collecting sports cards.

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