Yankees Keep Volpe in Double-A as Caballero Shines at Shortstop

Manager Aaron Boone announced that shortstop Anthony Volpe will remain with the Double-A Somerset Patriots through Sunday, the final day of his 20-day rehab assignment. After that date the Yankees must either activate Volpe for the major-league roster or option him back to the minors. Boone said the club will “reevaluate where we are after Sunday” before making a final call.

Heavy

Volpe underwent left-shoulder surgery on Oct. 14 to repair a partially torn labrum. He missed spring training and began a rehab stint in early April. Across 33 at-bats in Triple-A and Double-A he has logged one home run, three RBIs, two stolen bases and a walk. One source lists his Double-A line at .278 (10-for-36) with a homer and four RBIs; another cites a .303 average with a .718 OPS in 33 at-bats, indicating a discrepancy in reported statistics.

Sports Illustrated

Acquired from Tampa Bay in July 2025, Caballero has started at shortstop in 31 of the Yankees’ first 32 games. He is batting .333 (23-for-69) with four homers, 12 RBIs and 12 stolen bases in his last 19 games. Defensively, he recorded a “sliding stop 20 feet past second” to throw out Adley Rutschman and has become the everyday shortstop while Volpe remains in the minors.

ESPN

• Yankees record: 20-11, first place in the AL East.

Heavy

• Volpe (rehab): .278 /.?? /.?? (per Somerset) or .303 /.324 /.394 (per SI).

Sports Illustrated

• Caballero: .333 /.?? /.??, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 12 SB.

ESPN

• Yankees shortstop depth: Caballero, Max Schuemann (recent call-up), and Giancarlo Stanton (on IL).

Anthony Volpe not making expected return to Yankees lineup in Orioles series

Boone emphasized roster flexibility, noting Caballero “has earned opportunities and been a key part of our club” and that the team wants to give Volpe “every chance to come in and be successful.” Caballero declined to comment on his role, stating, “I’m not the guy to make that decision…my goal is to help my team and do my best every day.” Volpe expressed enthusiasm about playing, saying, “It makes me feel good going out there and see the ball fly.”

Heavy

Fans and commentators have questioned the lack of a clear timeline. Max Mannis wrote, “Yankees have been oddly secretive and vague about this all along…Why won’t they just place any kind of timeline on it?” Brendan Kuty reported, “Anthony Volpe will not be back w/ the Yankees tonight. He’s had 34 plate appearances on his rehab assignment.” Some observers suggest the club could trade Volpe while his value remains high.

Heavy

Volpe started at shortstop and batted second for Somerset on Friday against the Portland Seadogs. Caballero’s recent highlight includes a go-ahead second-inning homer off Cade Povich that left his bat at 108.5 mph and a defensive play that threw out a runner at second.

ESPN

Sources differ on Volpe’s batting average (.278 vs .303) and on-base plus slugging percentages. No official comment has clarified which line reflects his current performance. Additionally, the exact criteria the Yankees will use to decide between activation and option remain unspecified.

Sports Illustrated

• “We'll kind of reevaluate where we are after Sunday,” — Aaron Boone, Yankees manager

ESPN

• “It makes me feel good going out there and see the ball fly and see how the ball is carrying to all the fields,” — Anthony Volpe, shortstop

ESPN

• “My goal is to help my team and help my team as much as I can to win and do my best every day.” — José Caballero, shortstop

ESPN

• “Yankees have been oddly secretive and vague about this all along. Might be as simple as he’s not ready yet, but what’s going on here? Why won’t they just place any kind of timeline on it?” — Max Mannis, fan (Twitter)

Heavy

• “Anthony Volpe will not be back w/ the Yankees tonight. He’s had 34 plate appearances on his rehab assignment.” — Brendan Kuty, The Athletic

Heavy

The Yankees must make a roster decision by Monday. If activated, Volpe could debut in the series finale on Monday night or be held for the Tuesday series against the Texas Rangers. Should the club opt to keep him in the minors, he will likely remain with Somerset for the weekend before a potential promotion early next week.

Heavy