Yankees Face Decision with Infielders Caballero and Volpe
With Jose Caballero back in action and Anthony Volpe still with the team, the Yankees have a bit of a puzzle regarding how to utilize both infielders.
During Friday’s game against the Rays in the Bronx, Caballero returned from a stint on the disabled list due to a broken finger, starting at shortstop, while Volpe was absent from the lineup.
Despite having provided solid defense for the Yankees this season, Caballero made a crucial error on a ground ball from Chandler Simpson, which allowed a run for the Rays in the eighth inning.
The Yankees ultimately fell to Tampa Bay with a score of 4-2 after the Rays rallied for four runs.
“This is a play he has to make,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone commented.
Caballero described the ball as a tricky low liner, one that took a bit of a short hop, but he acknowledged he should have handled it better.
Before the game, Boone was hesitant to specify regular starters but mentioned that Volpe would be taking on second base duties. This position has been dormant in regular season play since a couple of minor league games back in 2021.
“On days when Anthony isn’t playing, we’re going to have him work a little bit at second base,” Boone said.
Volpe, however, noted that he hasn’t yet begun that transition.
“I’m ready, no matter what the team needs,” he said prior to the game.
There had been discussions about possibly having Caballero stay in the lineup while sending Volpe back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. But, the Yankees decided to send outfield prospect Spencer Jones back down instead, after he struggled at the plate.
For now, Boone mentioned regarding the shortstop situation, “I’m going to make a decision every day.”
He also acknowledged conversations with both players and hinted that a difficult choice might be on the horizon.
“We’re both going to play,” Boone stated, emphasizing Caballero’s and Volpe’s versatility.
The Yankees picked up Caballero from Tampa Bay last year, attracted by his ability to cover multiple positions and make an impact on the bases.
Once Caballero stepped in as the starting shortstop during Volpe’s recovery from shoulder surgery, his performance exceeded the Yankees’ expectations in both hitting and defense.
“These things have a way of working themselves out,” Boone reflected on Friday. “These are two players that we feel can play a key role in winning games, so it’s good to be in this situation… Every day is not going to be a perfect scenario.”
When asked about his potential role, Volpe responded, “I haven’t written the lineup. I’m ready. I’m going to work on my job.”
Volpe, while back in the majors, has shown promise both on the bases and at the plate but struggled on Friday with no hits, striking out three times in his last eight at-bats. He also missed a double play opportunity at shortstop during the previous game against Toronto.
