Anthony Volpe is set to begin a Minor League rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset on Tuesday, following his recovery from left shoulder surgery performed in October, according to an April 14 update. While not yet in the Yankees’ lineup, Volpe has been actively supporting his teammates during their recent series against the Rays at Tropicana Field.
Volpe’s return is significant for both him and the team as he aims to reclaim his position as starting shortstop. His absence since last season has given José Caballero more playing time at shortstop, but the Yankees see Caballero transitioning into a utility role once Volpe returns.
“I missed the guys,” Volpe said. “You watch on TV and you get texts after a game, but to be with everyone in the fight and everything — it’s a helpless feeling at the same time, but that’s what you miss the most, the camaraderie.”
Traveling north with the team to New York, Volpe will be evaluated by team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad before joining Somerset’s lineup. The opportunity is close to home for Volpe, who grew up in Watchung, New Jersey. He said his family is happy about this step: “But I’m so excited to just play. I’m probably the most excited I’ve ever been, just having that perspective. It doesn’t matter. I’ll play anywhere. I’ll do anything. So it’s going to be great.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Volpe has responded well over six to eight weeks of training at Tampa and should be ready for game action: “When he first went down to Tampa right after the new year, he almost immediately started making big gains and feeling better,” Boone said.
General manager Brian Cashman outlined that they want Volpe to have about 55 plate appearances before returning as starting shortstop: “That’s always been the plan, but ultimately it’s the manager’s call,” Cashman said.
Reflecting on his recovery process compared with last season when he played through injury after May 3rd, Volpe said: “It’s just nice when you’re doing treatments and exercises, and it just keeps improving and getting better… Every day, I feel better than the last day.” He also mentioned using this downtime productively: “That was a big part of it, to have a blank slate and analyze stuff… The stuff we worked on … I feel like I can make adjustments off it.”
