With a condition, Jose Caballero can accept Yankees going back to Anthony Volpe

Caballero threw in another two cents after his post-game shower Wednesday.

“I was always a shortstop until the Rays started moving me around,” he said. “I played short and second, then they put me in the outfield. I was willing to play anywhere then and I’ll play anywhere now. I just want to be in the lineup every day.

“But if shortstop is the only open position, then I want it. I think any player would say the same thing.”

Maybe, but hoping to stay at short, Caballero says he didn’t even keep the bigger outfielder’s glove that he used last season with the Rays and Yankees.

“I used to have two gloves, but I don’t now,” he said. “If I need to, I’ll find one for the outfield.”

Shortstop is Caballero’s best and probably only chance to be a regular, but like last season after the Yankees traded for him on July 31, there will be opportunities regardless. If Volpe reclaims shortstop, Caballero still could get a game a week at short, third base, second and left field.

He earned playing time hitting .266 and stealing 15 bags in 40 games with the Yankees, and he’s done it again this year.

Here are his 2026 resume highlights:

• His plus-6 rating in FanGraphs’ Defensive Runs Saved metrics ranks first among 30 qualifying shortstops.
• His .267 average is second best among Yankees position players behind Ben Rice’s .327.
• He’s been the Yankees’ hottest hitter batting .338 with four doubles, three homers, 10 RBI, seven steals in his 18 games.
• His .333 average in 18 runners in scoring position at-bats is best among Yankees regulars and second on the team behind Amed Rosario’s .385 (5-for-13).
• The two-time defending AL stole base champ leads the league again with 12 in 16 tries.

“Cabbie is a really good player,” Boone said. “He was such an important addition for us when we got him last year. He does so many things to help you win a game, one of those is being a pest sometimes.

“I feel like his defense, he made four or five plays in the Boston series that seemed kind of routine and were kind of sneaky, tough plays that he was able to make. He’s just a winning player.”

Whether you go by traditional or advanced defensive stats, Caballero’s fielding this season is better than Volpe’s 2025 and career numbers.

Here’s a sample:

• Caballero has committed three errors in 126 chances for a .976 fielding percentage that ranks just 17th among 27 qualifying shortstops.
• Volpe led all AL shortstops with 19 errors and finished with a .963 fielding percentage that was worst in the league. He won a Gold Glove as a rookie and was a Gold Glove finalist the next year, but his career fielding percentage is .968.
• Caballero’s Baseball Savant’s Outs Above Average rating this season is a plus-1 while Volpe’s last season was a minus-6.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but as long as in there and helping the team, I’m happy,” Caballero said. “I’m happy to win a game. That’s what I’m trying to do, win baseball games, man.”

Caballero got off to a slow start, hitting just .140 with six hits in 40 at-bats in his first 12 games. As he was slumping, he felt more and more out of sync.

Then he realized he’d toned down his on-field antics that are loved by his team and often despised by others. He’s high energy. He loves using the pitch clock to his advantage by engaging right at the eight-seconds limit.

“I kind of lost my edge for a little bit,” he said. “It might have been the early struggles. If I’m playing with an edge, it makes me better. I have it back now.”

Volpe played all seven innings of Somerset’s rain-shortened 6-5 win over Portland on Wednesday, going 2-for-4 with two line-drive hits to left field.

That could be it for Volpe, who hit .303 in 34 plate appearances playing 10 rehab games in 16 days, six with Somerset and four with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The Yankees will decide during Thursday’s off day what to do with Volpe, who could be activated from the IL to start, platoon or be a reserve. They could even option Volpe, although that seems unlikely.

“Hopefully he’s back with us,” Caballero said. “He’s healthy.”

Whatever the Yankees do, someone probably will be disappointed. But they have to do what they think is best for the team.

“The most important thing is the team is winning games,” Caballero said. “We have the best record in the American League, and that’s what I can take from this early season.

“I’ve had some ups and downs, but I’ve contributed to a team that’s leading the league in wins. That’s what we’re looking for. That’s what we’re here for.”

We’ll find out soon if the Yankees stick with what’s working at shortstop or pull a Marty McFly with Volpe.

“Whatever they do, I just want to be in there somewhere,” Caballero said. “And again, I’ll be happy playing anywhere, but if there’s only one spot open for me, I want it.”

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