LOMBARD BROUGHT THE SPARK. NOW WE NEED HIM HEALTHY.

Just when George Lombard Jr. was starting to put his fingerprints all over this Yankee team, Yankee fans got a scare Saturday night.

And it happened on a seemingly harmless play.

During the second inning of the Yankees' 9-2 win over Boston, Lombard checked his swing on a 2-2 pitch from Brayan Bello. Something didn't look right. Lombard grimaced and grabbed at his right knee, prompting Aaron Boone and the Yankees' training staff to come out and check on him.

But Lombard stayed in. In fact, he singled on the very next pitch.

He even came to the plate again in the third inning, but by then the Yankees could see the knee was bothering him. Boone later explained that watching Lombard run down the line didn't look right, so the Yankees weren't taking chances. Lombard did not return to shortstop for the fourth inning and was sent to NewYork-Presbyterian for imaging.

Thankfully, the early news appears encouraging. Boone said after the game that the initial indication was that Lombard's injury was a day-to-day situation, though the Yankees were still waiting for complete clarification.

That's a relief if it's actually true. The Yankees have a way of giving wrong information through Boone, so I feel hopeful, but who knows. Here's the thing, Lombard has become much more important to this team than his numbers suggest. He's changed the energy.

There's an aggressiveness to his game. There's speed, athleticism and confidence. He makes things happen. Since arriving in the Bronx, Lombard has brought a different feel to a Yankee team that desperately needed some life.

Sure, there have been errors. Who cares? Look beyond them. He's a kid. Look at the talent. Look at the range. Look at the way he runs the bases. Look at the confidence. Most importantly, look at the energy that seems to follow him around the field.

This kid can play. That's what makes Saturday night's injury so unfortunate. The Yankees finally injected some young, exciting talent into this roster, Lombard grabbed the opportunity, and suddenly we're talking about his knee instead of everything he's been bringing to the ballclub.

Hopefully this is nothing more than a brief interruption.

But whether Lombard misses a game, a few games or whatever the Yankees decide is necessary, don't suddenly change the conversation about him.

Don't let a few errors define him. Don't forget what happened to the energy of this team when he arrived. And definitely don't give up on George Lombard Jr.

The Yankees have something here. Something special. Now get that knee healthy and get back out there, kid.

The Yankees are simply more fun with you in the lineup.