Yankees delay Volpe return until at least Monday, with Caballero playing well

TL;DR

Anthony Volpe's return to the Yankees is delayed until at least Monday as José Caballero performs well. Volpe will remain on a minor league rehab assignment until Sunday, after which the team will reevaluate his status.

Key points

Anthony Volpe's return is delayed until at least Monday.
José Caballero is performing well, impacting Volpe's activation.
Volpe's minor league rehab assignment lasts until Sunday.
If optioned, Volpe's free-agent eligibility is delayed by a year.
Giancarlo Stanton is not running but may start hitting soon.

New York Yankees

NEW YORK (AP) — Anthony Volpe is ready to rejoin the New York Yankees, but the team isn't set for the shortstop's return. With José Caballero playing well, the Yankees kept Volpe at Double-A Somerset on Friday rather than activate him for a series opener against Baltimore. Manager Aaron Boone said Volpe will remain at Somerset through Sunday, the maximum 20th day of a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment. After that, the Yankees would have to activate the 2023 Gold Glove winner or option the 25-year-old to the minors. “We’ll kind of reevaluate where we are on after Sunday,” Boone said. “I don’t think it hurts to have some more runway for him. Caby's obviously playing very well for us. So I just want it to be a situation where we’re giving Anthony every chance to come in and be successful, but also taking note of what’s going on with our club, as well.” If Volpe is optioned to the minors for at least 20 days, it would delay his free-agent eligibility by a year until after the 2029 World Series. Volpe had left shoulder surgery on Oct. 14 and entered Friday batting .303 (10 for 33) with one homer and three RBIs in 10 minor league games. Caballero started at shortstop in 31 of the Yankees’ first 32 games and hit a go-ahead, second-inning homer Friday, leaving him with a .274 average with four homers, 12 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. He entered hitting .338 (22 for 65) with 10 RBIs in his previous 18 games. “It complicates it a little bit, clearly,” Boone said. “José’s earned opportunities and been a key part of our club here and a part of success here to start out the season.” Volpe hit .212 with 19 homers and a career-high 72 RBIs last year and made a career-high 19 errors, tied for third-most among major league shortstops. Caballero wouldn't say whether he had earned an everyday job. “I’m not the guy to make that decision,” he responded. “My goal is to help my team and help my team as much as I can to win and do my best every day.”

Q&A

Why is Anthony Volpe's return to the Yankees delayed?

Volpe's return is delayed due to José Caballero's strong performance, prompting the Yankees to keep Volpe at Double-A Somerset until at least Monday.

What happens if Volpe is optioned to the minors?

If Volpe is optioned to the minors for at least 20 days, it would delay his free-agent eligibility by a year until after the 2029 World Series.

How is José Caballero performing for the Yankees?

José Caballero is performing well, hitting .274 with four homers, 12 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases, which has contributed to the decision to delay Volpe's return.

What is the status of Giancarlo Stanton's injury?

Giancarlo Stanton could start hitting this week but is still not running due to a right calf strain sustained on April 23.