Aaron Judge has blunt message for Anthony Volpe after boo-filled debut

“Just take care of business,” Judge said before bringing up the negativity that surrounded Volpe during his 2025 season and again this month when he lost his starting job and roster spot. “There’s been a lot of questions, a lot of stuff going on with that, circling with the media, but the biggest thing is block out the noise. There’s going to be a lot of noise with it.”

Volpe might not be able to avoid being optioned again when Caballero returns from the IL.

Boone has already said “the expectation” is Caballero will remain the starter and a decision will be made on whether Volpe stays as a reserve or not. Utility infielder Max Schuemann could have the edge there because he plays three infield positions and Volpe’s only experience as a pro besides shortstop was three games at third base and two at second when he was in A-ball in 2021.

Beyond possibly feeling pressure to make a big statement quickly, Volpe could be dealing with a lot of fan abuse from Yankees fans when he’s playing at Citi Field this weekend and then back in Yankee Stadium next week.

The boos from Yankees fans in Orioles country started when Volpe struck out with runners on the corners to end the fifth inning, with the Yankees trailing 3-0. They were louder in Baltimore eighth when Leody Taveras’ groundball to short was booted for an E-6.

This was a carryover to a miserable couple of weeks for Volpe, who was optioned to Triple-A on May 3 when he finished a 20-day rehab assignment that completed his full recovery from October left shoulder labrum surgery.

Volpe was the Yankees’ starter at shortstop for almost every game since his MLB debut on Opening Day 2023 through last season. He thought he’d keep his job this year, even though he struggled hitting and fielding in 2025 while playing with a bad shoulder from May on.

Everything changed when Caballero filled in for Volpe better than anyone anticipated after moving from a super-utility role. By the time Volpe was ready to play, he wasn’t piling up hits during his minor-league rehab games, either.

Because the Yankees had been so committed to Volpe in past seasons, it was a surprise when they committed to sticking with Caballero. The Yankees simply rewarded Caballero, who stood out hitting .259 with four homers while playing some of the best shortstop in the majors and, as usual, stealing a bunch of bases.

Barely a week later, things changed again when Caballero jammed a finger on a pickoff throw at first base last Sunday in Milwaukee and a Tuesday MRI revealed a small fracture.

Following his call-up, Volpe drove his car from Scranton to Baltimore on Tuesday, arriving around game time, then was in the Yankees’ lineup Wednesday.

Talking to Yankees media after Tuesday’s game, Volpe said he was excited to be back. He also claimed that he felt good about his hitting even though he batted just .221 over 68 at-bats in 18 minor-league games — including .205 in nine games with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

A day later, Volpe wore a collar facing big-league pitching — as did every Yankee except Jazz Chisholm, who doubled in the fifth for the team’s lone hit.

Volpe hit a 247-foot flyout to center field in the third, struck out on a 3-2 pitch with two runners on to end the fifth and popped out to short in the eighth. His last plate appearance was an eight-pitch at-bat that included a liner to deep right field that curled foul.

Volpe’s first game back became more of a storyline when an eighth-inning grounder deflected off the heel of his glove. After leading all American League shortstops with 19 errors last season, he has one in one game this year.

Not wanting to pin this on Volpe, Boone mentioned positives that he took from his shortstop’s first game.

“He had some competitive at-bats,” the manager said. “He got to 3-2 the last time fouling some pitches off. I thought he made a couple good plays in the field, and then obviously missed a routine play.”

Volpe can change the narrative this weekend by contributing a series win or sweep in Queens, then again next week when the Yankees are home against the Blue Jays.

“Just go out there and play your game,” Judge said again. “He’s a special part of this organization, a special player … so just block out the noise and just go do your job.”

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