Yankees' Anthony Volpe struggled in his second game back at Triple-A, making a baserunning mistake. Meanwhile, Jose Caballero was hit in the elbow during the game.
Key points
Anthony Volpe struggled in his second game back at Triple-A
Jose Caballero was hit in the elbow during the game
In Scranton/Wilkes-Barreâs 9-7 victory over the Red Soxâs top farm club, the only time Volpe was on base in six at-bats was on a fielderâs choice. Then Volpe didnât score from first base on Spencer Jonesâ double, which one-hopped the right-center field wall, even though he was stealing on the pitch. He either forgot there were two outs or he thought it was a homer.
Hereâs how Worcesterâs TV analyst described Volpeâs baserunning mistake while watching the replay:
âIâm not sure how Volpe didnât score here. Look at him slow up as he gets to second base. Did he think this was gone?
âAt two outs, youâve got to be moving and he slows up at second base. He was caught looking at the ball. Iâm not sure what heâs doing. Boy, especially off (stealing) with the pitch.â
That kind of 0-for-6 collar isnât going to get Volpe a quick return to the majors unless ...
Unless the guy who stole his starting shortstop job gets hurt.
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X-rays taken after the game were negative.
Caballero was in the trainerâs room and unavailable for an interview, but relayed to Yankees Media Relations VP Jason Zillo that the pitch hit him âin a bad spot.â
Caballero was asked by Zillo if heâll be available for Thursdayâs 12:30 p.m. series finale.
âI hope so,â he responded.
Donât count on it.
âHis arm was swelling up,â third baseman Ryan McMahon told NJ.com. âI think the pitch got some elbow and right above it, which is a weird spot.
âIt was a curveball, but if it gets you in the right spot, it doesnât matter. Iâve been hit there. Itâs one that you feel all the way down your arm. Hopefully, heâs all right.â
Caballero appeared to be in so much pain initially that it was surprising that he talked his way into staying in the game.
âI think heâs just a gamer,â McMahon said. âAll that (Volpe) stuff aside, I think he was just going to tough it out.â
Maybe.
But a few weeks ago, general manager Brian Cashman said Volpe, the Yankeesâ starting shortstop from the first game of his rookie season in 2023 through last year, would keep his job when he returns from offseason surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
The plan changed because Caballero has been one of the best defensive shortstops in the majors, plus heâs contributed hits and stolen bases for a club that has an American League-best 25-12 record with 15 wins in its last 18 despite Wednesdayâs loss.
If Caballero is out of Thursdayâs lineup, the Yankees will either give newcomer utility infielder Max Schuemann a first start or play McMahon at short with bench player Amed Rosario starting at third base.
âI talked to (Caballero) at the end of the game about (Thursday),â manager Aaron Boone said, âand he was like, âI should be good to go.â It got swollen in there a little bit on that funny bone-triceps area, so weâll see what we have and see if we need something for tomorrow.â
Unless the Yankees end up thinking Caballero will be down for a few games, itâs unlikely theyâll summon Volpe, who is hitting .241 with one homer in 15 minor-league games, nine with Double-A Somerset when he was rehabbing.
Volpe still has a lot of friends and support in the Yankeesâ clubhouse, but everyone knows how important Caballero has been to their success this season and everyone is hoping for a quick return from his elbow scare.
âYeah,â Yankees pitcher Will Warren said after a four-inning, six-run start. âItâs good to see him stay out there and be tough.â
