- The Yankees face a challenging choice about Anthony Volpe’s position upon his return from injury.
- Jose Caballero’s strong performance at shortstop has added complexity to Volpe’s entry back into the starting lineup.
- The Yankees’ proactive roster decisions suggest that Volpe’s opportunity this season may not last long.
The question of whether to activate Anthony Volpe from injured reserve on Friday, or wait until Monday, hangs in the air.
The Yankees pondered Volpe’s specific role and how much he can demonstrate his abilities during Thursday’s off day before a four-game series against the Orioles in the Bronx beginning Friday.
Manager Aaron Boone indicated that they would reassess Volpe’s situation after he played nine consecutive innings at shortstop for Double-A Somerset, accumulating 34 at-bats over 10 rehab games. Early signs indicate that he is recovering well from surgery to address a torn labrum in his left shoulder and has mostly been focusing on ramping up his activity like in spring training.
While Volpe seems ready to return, there’s no guarantee he’ll step back in right away; Boone has left open the possibility of extending his rehab beyond the initial 20-day period, which finishes Sunday.
Boone was non-committal, responding “Let’s see” multiple times when asked about Volpe’s role and whether it might mirror his previous one.
About three weeks prior, general manager Brian Cashman stated that the intention was always for Volpe to reclaim the starting shortstop position upon returning from the injured list.
“But in the end, it’s really the coach who makes that call,” Cashman said, adhering to his usual stance regarding lineup matters.
That sounds straightforward, especially considering Caballero’s rough beginning to the season. But, his performance has since improved drastically. Over the last 18 games, he’s hit .338 with a .915 OPS, quite a leap from his earlier numbers, where he began hitting .150 in 12 games.
His six innings given up were the highest among shortstops entering Thursday, and he’s tied for the most stolen bases in the American League. Boone has praised Caballero as a “winning player,” though he has yet to specify plans for his playing time upon Volpe’s comeback.
Perhaps there’s hesitance about Caballero losing valuable at-bats, especially after his contributions have helped the team win games.
These moments seem to place Boone in a holding pattern, as he noted that something might change by the time the Yankees are ready to activate Volpe.
Ultimately, the landscape suggests Caballero may offer more overall value in a utility role compared to Volpe. While capable at shortstop, he can also take on various positions—left field and third base among them—and prove useful as a speed option off the bench.
The understanding has been that Volpe would secure a starting role, especially after his struggles last year attributed to a shoulder injury. Even if his defense was generally solid, his batting performance varied significantly over his tenure in the majors.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his return, Aaron Judge commented that “Volpe is a big part of what we do here and has been for the past few years.” Judge expressed hope that Volpe can continue his rehab success and return to contributing effectively to the team.
However, with a potential long-term replacement in George Lombardo Jr. moving up to Triple-A, Volpe may find himself under more pressure to perform quickly, particularly with Caballero waiting in the wings.
The Yankees have also been actively reshuffling their roster this season more than in previous years, including giving opportunities to young players like Jason Dominguez while making earlier-than-usual cuts.
“That’s reality for us,” Boone noted, referencing the competition and depth now available. “It’s great to foster an environment where performance is rewarded and positions remain competitive, ultimately benefiting us in the long run.”
