José Caballero continues to serve as the New York Yankees’ starting shortstop, with Anthony Volpe available off the bench as he recovers from a shoulder injury. Caballero made his sixth consecutive start at shortstop on Monday against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Volpe, who has been dealing with a partially torn left labrum since May 3 and aggravated it again on September 7, received a cortisone injection last week.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said before Monday’s game that Volpe’s condition had improved: “I expect Anthony to be a full player today. Yesterday he was probably a limited player if I wanted him. Today I feel he is [good] for whatever role we need.” Both players were unavailable for comment before the game.
Caballero has recently contributed both offensively and defensively. He hit a home run over the Green Monster during Sunday’s loss in Boston and made key defensive plays. Since August 9, Caballero has posted a .314 batting average, .379 on-base percentage, and .569 slugging percentage in 16 starts. Seven of his 16 hits have gone for extra bases, including four doubles and three home runs. He also recorded eight stolen bases in that span, adding to his American League-leading total of 46 steals.
“He’s playing great,” Boone said about Caballero’s recent performance. “We’re at the time of the year where it’s all hands on deck. Everybody’s going to play an important role. You never know on a given day who has the most important role, but I expect them both to play important roles down the stretch.”
Boone indicated that decisions regarding who starts at shortstop will be made daily based on team needs and player health.
Volpe, who won an AL Gold Glove Award in 2023, has struggled this season both defensively and offensively. In 141 games played so far, Volpe is hitting .206 with a .268 on-base percentage and .393 slugging percentage, along with 19 home runs and a career-high 70 RBIs. He has managed only two hits in his last 22 at-bats and leads the American League with 19 errors.
