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4w ago

Volpe’s Hot Return Forces Yankees to Pick a Shortstop

A brief surge by Anthony Volpe has the club weighing lineup roles, position moves and service-time trade-offs as José Caballero nears activation.

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An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) completes a double play, Toronto Blue Jays catcher Brandon Valenzuela (59) is out at second base ending the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium, Monday, May 18, 2026, in Bronx, NY, Image 2 shows New York Yankees’ José Caballero (72) celebrates a RBI double scoring New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells in the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Bronx, NY
May 18, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) reacts after scoring a run against the Toronto Blue Jays on a sacrifice fly by Yankees catcher J.C. Escarra (not pictured) during the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Overview

  • Anthony Volpe was recalled from Triple-A and has produced encouraging offense, defense and baserunning in a six-game stretch, hitting roughly .294 with multiple extra-base hits.
  • Manager Aaron Boone publicly called Volpe “outstanding” and praised the quality of his at-bats, while teammates including Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. offered visible support.
  • José Caballero remains on the injured list with a right middle-finger fracture but has resumed throwing and could be eligible to return as soon as May 22.
  • If the Yankees keep Volpe at shortstop the club could shift Caballero to third base and move Ryan McMahon to a bench role, a change driven by recent performance and lineup fit.
  • The decision will balance short-term production, players’ health and longer-term roster strategy, including Volpe’s recent option to Triple-A and the team’s depth at Triple-A with prospects like George Lombard Jr.