BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
The are preparing to give infielder experience at second base as the club adjusts its infield alignment following the return of from a fractured finger.
Manager confirmed Friday that Volpe will begin taking workouts at second base in an effort to increase the team’s flexibility while Caballero resumes duties at shortstop.
Caballero was activated from the injured list ahead of Friday’s series opener against the American League-leading and immediately returned to the starting lineup at shortstop. Volpe, who had filled in during Caballero’s absence, was not in the lineup.
Boone acknowledged that balancing playing time and defensive roles could create difficult decisions moving forward, but emphasized that the organization’s priority remains putting the strongest lineup on the field each day.
“As I’ve told them each, it’s not going to be the perfect scenario every single day,” Boone said. “You may like or not like a decision on a given day, but at the end of the day we’re all working for the same thing. We want to win big, and we want to win big for the Yankees.”
Caballero had been sidelined since suffering a broken middle finger on May 10 during a game against the . The injury occurred when Caballero dove back to first base on a pickoff attempt by pitcher during the ninth inning. Despite wearing a protective sliding mitt, Caballero fractured the finger and was placed on the injured list.
Before the injury, Caballero had emerged as one of the Yankees’ most reliable everyday players. Acquired from Tampa Bay before last season’s trade deadline, the versatile 29-year-old started 39 of New York’s first 41 games at shortstop this year while batting .249 with four home runs, 13 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. He also posted a .720 OPS and provided strong defensive consistency in the infield.
Volpe, meanwhile, has been working to re-establish himself after returning from shoulder surgery last October. The former Yankees starting shortstop from 2021 through 2023 began the season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before being recalled following Caballero’s injury.
During Caballero’s stint on the injured list, Volpe started eight games at shortstop and hit .217 with three RBIs, two stolen bases and seven walks. Despite the modest batting average, Boone said he was encouraged by Volpe’s overall approach at the plate and his work defensively.
“Like what I’ve seen,” Boone said. “I feel like he’s had a good week of at-bats. I feel he’s played well in the field. Again, it’s a week, but he’s a really talented player that we have high expectations for.”
Rather than choosing between the two players, Boone indicated the Yankees intend to keep both involved regularly by moving them around the field depending on matchups and lineup needs.
Caballero’s versatility gives the Yankees multiple options. In addition to shortstop, he has experience at second base, third base and in the outfield.
“Both guys are going to play,” Boone said. “Cabby’s versatility comes into play now again with Anthony here. These things have a way of working themselves out. It’s a good situation to be in because we have two players that we feel like can play vital roles in us winning games.”
Volpe’s professional experience at second base has been limited. He appeared there once for Class A Tampa and once for High-A Hudson Valley during the 2021 season, while also briefly playing third base that year. He additionally saw action at second during five spring training games in 2023.
Boone said the organization is comfortable experimenting with Volpe at second base but is not yet ready to use him regularly at third base in the majors.
“Second base I’m not too worried about,” Boone explained. “I probably wouldn’t put him over at third up here. I’d want him to go do that a little bit.”
The Yankees manager added that Volpe could still receive substantial playing time at shortstop even while learning another infield position.
“He may still end up being all at shortstop,” Boone said. “On the days he’s playing shortstop, I may move Cabby around. But I want him to at least get some work over there and see that side of the field, too.”
New York also made additional roster adjustments Friday as the club continues navigating a series of injuries and player returns.
Top prospect was optioned back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to clear roster space. Jones made his major league debut on May 8 after outfielder sprained his left shoulder crashing into the outfield wall at Yankee Stadium a day earlier.
Jones struggled offensively during his brief stint in the majors, batting .167 without an extra-base hit while driving in two runs across 27 plate appearances in 10 games.
Despite the numbers, Boone said the experience should benefit the young outfielder moving forward.
“It was a good experience for Spencer even though he didn’t get a lot of results,” Boone said. “I actually feel like he held his own pretty well.”
The Yankees also received encouraging updates on several injured players.
Domínguez has resumed hitting off a tee and could return to game action by late next week or early June.
Veteran slugger , sidelined since April 24 with a strained right calf, is expected to undergo another medical evaluation next week and may soon be cleared to begin running exercises.
Center fielder returned to the lineup Friday after missing one game because of knee pain. Tests reportedly showed no structural damage, allowing him to resume playing without an extended absence.
Perhaps the biggest boost for the Yankees came on the pitching side, where ace was activated from the 15-day injured list following his recovery from elbow ligament replacement surgery.
Cole was scheduled to start Friday night, marking his first major league appearance that counted in the standings since the 2024 World Series. His return is expected to provide a major lift for a Yankees rotation that has dealt with injuries and inconsistency throughout the season.
To make room on the pitching staff, right-hander was optioned to Triple-A after making the first two appearances of his major league career.
With key players gradually returning to health and increased competition emerging across the roster, the Yankees appear focused on building versatility and depth as they attempt to remain in contention during the second half of the season.
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