Yankees Option Volpe to Triple-A, Retain Caballero at Short
The New York Yankees optioned shortstop Anthony Volpe to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders after his rehabilitation assignment ended. The move keeps Jose Caballero as the primary shortstop while the Yankees hold the best record in the American League following an 11-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. Yankees manager Aaron Boone noted Caballero's strong play at the position complicated bringing Volpe back.
Volpe, 25, underwent left shoulder surgery on Oct. 14 after the Yankees' postseason elimination by the Toronto Blue Jays, who won the American League pennant. The injury had bothered him throughout the prior season, prompting cortisone shots during the All-Star break and on Sept. 10. Acquired by the Yankees last season, Caballero has started at shortstop in 34 games this season.
Caballero carries a .259 batting average, .306 on-base percentage, .405 slugging percentage and .711 OPS, with four home runs and 12 RBIs. Volpe hit .250 (11 for 44) over 13 rehabilitation games, mostly with Double-A Somerset Patriots. In 153 games last season, Volpe batted .212 with a .272 on-base percentage, .391 slugging percentage and .663 OPS, 19 home runs, 72 RBIs and 19 errors at shortstop, third-most among major league shortstops.
A first-round pick in the 2019 draft, Volpe debuted in 2023 as the Yankees' starting shortstop, hitting 21 home runs despite a .209 average and .283 on-base percentage while earning a Gold Glove. Volpe now receives at-bats and repetitions at shortstop in Triple-A to prepare for a return to the majors.