The New York Yankees have made a decisive move with their former Gold Glove shortstop Anthony Volpe, optioning him to Triple-A Scranton after activating him from the injured list on May 3. For fantasy baseball managers, this development carries significant weight—and a fair share of uncertainty.
Volpe's 2025 season was a struggle, to say the least. He batted just .212 and committed a frustrating number of errors at shortstop, finishing the year ranked as the SS27 in fantasy value according to FantasyPros. A torn labrum late in the season only added to the concerns, though the injury is now seven months behind him. The Yankees have declared him healthy, but clearly not yet ready for major league action—hence the rehab assignment in Scranton.
In Volpe's absence, Jose Caballero has seized the starting shortstop role and impressed manager Aaron Boone, who recently noted, "Caballero is playing the heck out of the position and playing really well." Caballero is hitting a respectable .259 with a .711 OPS, but his fantasy value hovers around SS28 in most formats—making him more of a bench piece than a reliable starter.
The real question for fantasy owners is what happens when Volpe returns, likely within the next one to two weeks. The Yankees have suggested they want Volpe to reclaim his job, or at least split time with Caballero. But with no clear timetable or guarantee, neither shortstop offers much certainty. Starting either player right now is a gamble, and Volpe may not even be worth adding to your roster given his dismal 2025 production.
Volpe's labrum tear is no minor setback, but the Yankees are taking a cautious approach. They want him to get back into game shape in Triple-A before considering a call-up. Once he's ready, expect a platoon situation at best—and for fantasy managers, that means patience will be key. Keep an eye on Volpe's performance in Scranton; if he shows signs of his former Gold Glove form, he could become a valuable stash. For now, treat both shortstops as high-risk options until the picture clears.