Anthony Volpe is back in pinstripes, and he's ready to hit the ground running. The Yankees' young shortstop was recalled to the active roster Tuesday after the team placed Jose Caballero on the injured list with a fractured finger. It's a return that, before the season started, seemed like a sure thing—but baseball has a way of throwing curveballs.
Volpe's 2026 campaign was delayed after he underwent offseason shoulder surgery. His rehab assignment went well, but the Yankees surprised many by keeping him in the minors to start the year. Part of that decision was made easier by Caballero's hot bat early in the season. Now, with opportunity knocking again, Volpe is focused on the one thing he can control: his own performance.
"Feels good to be back, see everyone and I'm ready to go," Volpe said after the Yankees' win over the Orioles. "Ready to get going. This is my start. Took a lot to get back here. Now that I'm here, I'm ready to go and take it from here."
Volpe wasn't in the starting lineup Tuesday—he was still en route to Baltimore when the call-up was made official—but he's expected to start Wednesday's series finale. It's a chance for him to remind everyone why he was once the Yankees' top prospect and a promising young big leaguer.
Offensively, he'll be looking to turn the page on a tough start to his season in the minors. In 18 games between Double-A and Triple-A, Volpe hit just .221 with a .570 OPS, one home run, two doubles, and eight RBIs. Those numbers, combined with Caballero's strong play, didn't help his case for an earlier return. But the 25-year-old understands the business side of the game and is ready to move forward.
"What's happened has happened," he said. "I put a lot of work to feel this good and come back, and go and help this team. I've been able to process, do everything and it's just back to work. We have a really good club. It feels great to be back."
For Yankees fans, Volpe's return is a reminder that young talent is never far away—and that sometimes, the best comebacks start with a little patience and a lot of hard work.