Yankees manager Aaron Boone took time during his news conference ahead of Wednesday night's home game against the Toronto Blue Jays to commend the performance of Anthony Volpe.
The team's starting shortstop for the grand majority of the last three seasons entering 2026, Volpe began the season in the minor leagues rehabbing a torn labrum, which required offseason surgery.
As Volpe worked his way up the farm system, Jose Caballero made the shortstop position his own. Caballero's .259/.320/.400 slash line is already respectable, but his baserunning and defense are elite for his position.
Volpe was called back up eight days ago in the stead of Caballero, who was placed on the 10-day IL with a broken right (throwing) middle finger.
Through his first seven games back in the majors with the Yankees, Volpe is batting .294 with an eye-popping .500 on-base percentage through 17 at-bats. He's also stolen two bases.
When asked what stands out about Volpe's return to the Yankees lineup, Boone pointed to his ability to work "quality at-bats."
"He's hit some balls on the screws a handful of times...the baserunning has been excellent."
The most outstanding example of Volpe's baserunning occurred during Monday night's series opener, when he acrobatically avoided the tag of rookie Blue Jays catcher Brandon Valenzuela to score a run on a shallow J.C. Escarra fly ball.
Caballero is aiming to return on Friday, when fellow injury returnee Gerrit Cole will make his return to the mound in the Bronx to kick off a pivotal three-game home stand against the AL East division-leading Tampa Bay Rays.
It will be interesting to see whether Boone makes a straight swap of Caballero in at shortstop for Volpe, or if Boone leans on Caballero's defensive versatility to swap out third baseman Ryan McMahon instead to keep Volpe in the lineup at shortstop.
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The team's starting shortstop for the grand majority of the last three seasons entering 2026, Volpe began the season in the minor leagues rehabbing a torn labrum, which required offseason surgery.
As Volpe worked his way up the farm system, Jose Caballero made the shortstop position his own. Caballero's .259/.320/.400 slash line is already respectable, but his baserunning and defense are elite for his position.
Volpe was called back up eight days ago in the stead of Caballero, who was placed on the 10-day IL with a broken right (throwing) middle finger.
Through his first seven games back in the majors with the Yankees, Volpe is batting .294 with an eye-popping .500 on-base percentage through 17 at-bats. He's also stolen two bases.
When asked what stands out about Volpe's return to the Yankees lineup, Boone pointed to his ability to work "quality at-bats."
"He's hit some balls on the screws a handful of times...the baserunning has been excellent."
The most outstanding example of Volpe's baserunning occurred during Monday night's series opener, when he acrobatically avoided the tag of rookie Blue Jays catcher Brandon Valenzuela to score a run on a shallow J.C. Escarra fly ball.
Caballero is aiming to return on Friday, when fellow injury returnee Gerrit Cole will make his return to the mound in the Bronx to kick off a pivotal three-game home stand against the AL East division-leading Tampa Bay Rays.
It will be interesting to see whether Boone makes a straight swap of Caballero in at shortstop for Volpe, or if Boone leans on Caballero's defensive versatility to swap out third baseman Ryan McMahon instead to keep Volpe in the lineup at shortstop.
Continue reading...