HOUSTON — Aaron Boone wanted Jon Barty in the lineup, but he didn’t want that to be the reason.
Anthony Volpe was removed from Sunday’s lineup with a stomach upset as the Yankees looked to sweep the Astros at Minute Maid Park, the team said.
The shortstop got off to a strong start to the season with four hits and four walks in 10 at-bats, including his first home run on Saturday night, with an OPS of 1.371.
Volpe was one of six players on the Yankees’ opening roster and was scheduled to travel to Mexico City earlier this week at the end of camp, but Berti, who started at third base, was added to the lineup in his place.
At least several members of the Yankees’ expedition to Mexico have since dealt with gastrointestinal issues, but it’s not clear whether Volpe’s illness Sunday is related to that.
Red-hot Oswaldo Cabrera was converted from third baseman to shortstop.
The Yankees had planned to have Barty, acquired from the Marlins on Wednesday, in the game by Sunday, but Cabrera’s hot start changed plans.
“I told John this today. There’s no one who wanted him to stay here more than me,” Boone said before Volpe was hurt and Berti jumped into the lineup. “I encouraged guys to say, ‘Hey, we need to go get him. We know what he’s going to be with this team long-term.'” We know that. He’s going to play a big role for us this year. I want to get him there and eventually I will. ”
It turned out sooner than he expected.
