Yankees Option Anthony Volpe to Triple-A Despite Strong Start, Keep Caballero at Shortstop

The New York Yankees hold the best record in the American League after beating the Baltimore Orioles 11-3 on Sunday. By the end of the day, they faced a key choice on shortstop Anthony Volpe, whose rehab assignment from left shoulder surgery wrapped up.

Jose Caballero, picked up by the Yankees last season, filled in at shortstop during Volpe's recovery. He delivered in key spots and fielded smoothly at the demanding position.

The Yankees chose to option the 25-year-old Volpe to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders instead of activating him. "Caballero is playing the heck out of the position and playing really well," manager Aaron Boone said before Sunday's win, according to ESPN. "That complicates it."

Caballero started at shortstop in 34 games this season. He has batted .259/.306/.405 with a .711 OPS, four home runs and 12 RBIs, mostly from the bottom of the order.

Volpe hit .250 (11 for 44) over 13 rehab games, mainly with Double-A Somerset Patriots.

Volpe had shoulder surgery on Oct. 14 after the Yankees lost to the Toronto Blue Jays in the MLB postseason. The Blue Jays took the American League pennant. The injury nagged Volpe all season. He got cortisone shots in the shoulder during the All-Star break and again on Sept. 10 after it flared up.

In 153 games for New York, Volpe hit .212/.272/.391 with a .663 OPS, 19 home runs and a career-high 72 RBIs. Fans criticized his inconsistency, as he led shortstops with 19 errors, third-most among big-league players at the position.

A first-round pick in the 2019 MLB Amateur Draft, Volpe rose quickly through the minors. He won the starting shortstop job out of spring training in 2023 and hit 21 home runs despite a .209 average and .283 on-base percentage. The Yankees also awarded him a Gold Glove that year.

Volpe will not spend all of 2026 in the minors. For now, the Yankees stick with their hot lineup. He will get at-bats and reps at shortstop in Triple-A to prepare for a return to the majors.