Yankees send Anthony Volpe to minors in favor of SS José Caballero

Anthony Volpe’s 20-day rehab window has concluded, but he is not returning to the New York Yankees.

The Yankees instead announced Sunday afternoon that they’ve optioned Volpe from the 10-day injured list to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Nobody from the Yankees addressed the decision beyond the statement announcing the transaction.

Volpe joined the big league club in 2023 and, when healthy, has been New York’s starting shortstop since. He’s done so as a Gold Glove winner, but with middling results at the plate. With Volpe out of the lineup since the start of the 2026 season due to offseason shoulder surgery, José Caballero has thrived at the plate and in the field at Volpe’s position.

Yankees riding hot hand

The Yankees, meanwhile, have the AL’s best record at 23-11. And they’ve decided to not mess with what’s working. Caballero will continue to start at shortstop — for now, at least. And Volpe, a former first-round pick who was previously considered as New York’s long-term answer at shortstop, will return to the minors at 25 years old.

This decision comes three weeks after general manager Brian Cashman said that “it’s always been the plan” for Volpe to return as New York’s starting shortstop at the conclusion of his rehab assignment. Cashman also said at the time that the decision would be “the manager’s call.”

Manager Aaron Boone alluded to the incoming change of plan with reporters prior to Sunday’s 11-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles.

“Caballero’s playing the heck out of the position and playing really well,” Boone said when asked about Volpe. “So that complicates it. So just deciding — what’s the role that exists right away? Those are things we’ve gotta continue to work through.”