The New York Yankees reinstated shortstop Anthony Volpe from his rehab assignment but optioned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.
Volpe played four games at Scranton and eight with Double-A Somerset to start the season as he works his way back from offseason shoulder surgery.
However, with Jose Caballero playing well as New York’s everyday shortstop, the club opted not to rush back the 25-year-old — an apparent change of heart after general manager Brian Cashman insisted “the plan” was for Volpe to return to the starting role.
Volpe made his major league debut in 2023 after spending just 22 games at Triple-A the year prior. He won the starting shortstop job in spring training and posted a 21-home run, Gold Glove rookie season. Volpe played in 159 games, then 160 in 2024 and 153 in 2025.
But his batting average and his fielding dipped in 2025, and it was revealed that the Yankees were playing Volpe despite a partial labrum tear in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. He had surgery in October after the Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs.
In 472 career games, Volpe has batted .222 with 52 homers, 192 RBIs, 82 doubles and 70 stolen bases. Across his 12 minor league rehab games, he batted .275 with one homer and six RBIs.
He also made one error, after he tied the American League lead with 19 errors in 2025.
Caballero, meanwhile, has laid his claim to the everyday job for the AL-leading Yankees (23-11). He has batted .259 with four homers, 12 RBIs and 12 steals through 32 games. He has a fielding percentage of .978.
Before the Yankees opened a series against the Baltimore Orioles Friday, manager Aaron Boone said Caballero’s play “complicates it a little bit, clearly,” when it comes to Volpe’s return.
“Jose’s earned opportunities and been a key part of our club here and a part of the success here to start out the season,” Boone said.
Caballero, 29, was a trade deadline acquisition from the rival Tampa Bay Rays last summer and has also played second base, third base and the outfield.
