The New York Yankees have made some interesting moves with Anthony Volpe. They’ve activated him from the injured list but decided to send him to Triple-A. This news broke thanks to Joel Sherman from the New York Post just before the official announcement.
Volpe had shoulder surgery last October and started this season on the 10-day injured list to ensure a full recovery. He spent 13 games in the minors during his rehab, including nine in Double-A and four in Triple-A. The Yankees had to make a choice: activate him for the big leagues or keep him in the minors.
Manager Aaron Boone hinted at this decision yesterday, noting that Volpe needed more time in the minors. He mentioned that Volpe was doing well but had only played for a couple of weeks. Boone emphasized that continuing to play regularly wouldn’t hurt Volpe’s development.
This minor league stint was Volpe’s first since 2022. He debuted in the majors on Opening Day 2023 with high expectations as a top-10 prospect in baseball. However, his performance has been underwhelming. Over 1,886 plate appearances, he’s hit .222/.283/.379 with 52 homers, translating to a wRC+ of 85. Although he was an excellent defender early on, Volpe’s glove work declined last season, largely due to a partially torn labrum.
The Yankees brought in Jose Caballero from the Rays last summer. Caballero filled in for Volpe during his recovery and has performed well. So far this season, he’s hitting .259/.306/.405 with four home runs and has stolen 13 bases. His defensive skills even have him mentioned in early Gold Glove conversations.
The Yankees are currently performing well, with a 23-11 record, second-best in baseball behind the Braves. Given this success and Caballero’s performance, there’s no pressing need to rush Volpe back to the majors. If Caballero struggles or an injury occurs in the infield, Volpe can easily come up.
In a related note, Ben Rice is dealing with a minor hand injury but is expected to recover quickly. The fact that the Yankees are sending Volpe down might indicate they believe Rice won’t be out for long.
Looking at the bigger picture, Volpe’s future with the Yankees raises questions. He’s in his first year of arbitration eligibility and is under contract until 2028. However, with another top shortstop prospect, George Lombard Jr., waiting in the wings, Volpe may need to fight to get his old spot back.
Volpe’s journey highlights the challenges young players face in Major League Baseball. As teams prioritize performance and results, players like Volpe have to navigate their path carefully. It’s a reminder of how quickly circumstances can shift in professional sports.
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