The New York Yankees are taking a patient approach with shortstop Anthony Volpe, delaying his return from injury until at least Monday despite the 2023 Gold Glove winner being cleared to play.
Volpe has been on a minor league rehabilitation assignment with Double-A Somerset, where he's been productive—batting .303 with one home run and three RBIs over 10 games. However, with José Caballero stepping up in his absence, the Yankees opted to keep Volpe in the minors for the start of their series against Baltimore on Friday.
Manager Aaron Boone confirmed Volpe will remain at Somerset through Sunday, the maximum 20th day of a rehab assignment. After that, the Yankees must either activate him or option the 25-year-old to the minors—a move that would delay his free agency by a year, pushing it to after the 2029 World Series.
"I don’t think it hurts to have some more runway for him," Boone said. "Caby's obviously playing very well for us. So I just want it to be a situation where we’re giving Anthony every chance to come in and be successful, but also taking note of what’s going on with our club."
Caballero has been a revelation for the Yankees, starting 31 of the team's first 32 games at shortstop. He delivered a go-ahead home run in the second inning Friday, bringing his season line to .274 with four homers, 12 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases. Over his last 18 games, he's been even hotter, hitting .338 with 10 RBIs.
Volpe, who underwent left shoulder surgery on October 14, struggled offensively last season with a .212 average and a career-high 19 errors—tied for third-most among MLB shortstops. Caballero, meanwhile, is keeping a humble focus.
"I’m not the guy to make that decision," Caballero said when asked if he'd earned an everyday role. "My goal is to help my team and help my team as much as I can to win and do my best every day."
This developing situation is one to watch for Yankees fans and baseball enthusiasts alike—especially as it could impact the team's infield alignment and Volpe's long-term future. Stay tuned for updates after Sunday's reevaluation.