MINNEAPOLIS — Anthony Volpe gave the New York Yankees exactly what they needed in his return to the lineup. But while his bat spoke volumes in a wild 10-9 win over the Twins, it didn’t silence the growing noise around the shortstop job.
Volpe, who had missed four straight games due to a shoulder issue, rejoined the starting lineup Tuesday night and produced right away. He went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, a walk, and two runs scored. Defensively, he handled his chances cleanly.
The performance was a reminder of what Volpe can offer when healthy. It also came at a time when his place in the starting lineup is no longer guaranteed.
Volpe makes an impact at the plate
Back in his familiar spot at shortstop, Anthony Volpe wasted no time showing why the Yankees have remained patient with him. In the third inning, he lined a single to left that drove in Ben Rice. In the fifth, he smoked a double to left-center and came around to score.
“He was moving well and swinging it better,” manager Aaron Boone said, as reported by The New York Post. “It was good to get him back out there. He looked fresh.”
Volpe added a walk and made a smooth play up the middle early in the game. He looked fully engaged and energized. After weeks of shoulder discomfort and inconsistent play, it was a welcome sign.
But one good game hasn’t quieted the voices around the organization or the fanbase.
Numbers tell a different story
Since August 1, Volpe is batting .186 with just four extra-base hits. His OPS during that span is under .570, and he’s struck out in more than 30 percent of his plate appearances. A cortisone injection in his left shoulder last week gave him some relief, but questions about his durability have resurfaced.
Before the injury flared up, Volpe had already started to lose grip on his everyday role. Over the previous week, he was benched in favor of Jose Caballero, who was initially acquired for infield depth.
Boone said the decision to sit Volpe was about giving him time to recover. But the timing of Caballero’s surge only intensified speculation.
Caballero forces the issue
While Volpe sat, Caballero started six consecutive games at shortstop. He delivered solid defense and electric energy. He hit .314 with a .943 OPS in that span, drove in runs, and created chaos on the basepaths.
He also won over the clubhouse with his hustle and attitude.
“Cabby’s playing great,” Boone said last weekend, adding, “He’s done a really good job stepping up.”
Caballero has 16 stolen bases in 52 games. He has shown an aggressive style that pairs well with Jazz Chisholm Jr., giving the Yankees two speed threats at the top of the lineup. He also has homered three times in his last 12 games.
And unlike Volpe, Caballero hasn’t looked like a liability at the plate. In fact, his approach has drawn praise.
“He’s hitting balls where the big boys hit it,” teammate Aaron Judge said earlier this week.
Defensive concerns remain on both sides
Volpe may have the stronger arm and smoother footwork, but Caballero has made flashier plays of late. However, neither has been perfect in the field.
On Sunday, Caballero made a costly mistake against the Twins. He failed to convert a routine double-play chance, leading to a Minnesota rally. It was a rare misstep in an otherwise impressive stretch.
Volpe, meanwhile, made an error in his last start before the layoff. He has 20 errors on the season, tied for the team lead.
Still, Boone has hinted that the competition is not about replacing one with the other permanently. It’s about production.
“We’re going to mix and match based on matchups and feel,” Boone said after the game. “We’ll keep evaluating.”
Volpe’s injury adds complexity
Volpe’s left shoulder has been a lingering issue since late May. The Yankees had hoped it wouldn’t affect his swing. But in recent weeks, his timing at the plate looked off, and his at-bats lacked aggression.
The cortisone shot seems to have helped. On Tuesday, he looked more like the player who had a strong first half.
Whether he can maintain that level remains uncertain.
Boone said the club is “monitoring him closely,” and will continue to manage his workload based on how he feels day to day.
Yankees stuck in the middle of a shortstop tug-of-war
The Yankees are in the middle of a postseason push. Every at-bat and every inning in the field matters.
Caballero has been the better overall performer over the last month. But Volpe is still seen as the long-term answer. That long view could complicate short-term decisions.
On Tuesday, Volpe reminded the Yankees what made him the Opening Day starter. But Caballero’s continued impact keeps the door wide open.
The team now faces a challenge: ride the hot hand, or trust the upside?
For now, Boone isn’t tipping his hand.
“We’re lucky to have two guys who can handle it,” Boone said. “It’s a good problem to have.”
But it’s a problem that won’t go away soon.
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