NEW YORK – Aaron Boone sat down for a wide-ranging radio interview Monday. He delivered good news about one injured star. He sent a clear warning to another.
The Yankees manager spoke with WFAN about his roster heading into Spring Training. His words about Gerrit Cole should comfort anxious fans. His comments about Anthony Volpe should make the young shortstop nervous.
Boone confirmed Cole’s recovery from Tommy John surgery remains on schedule. The former Cy Young Award winner has not experienced any setbacks since his March 2025 procedure. The ace is expected to rejoin the rotation by June 2026.
But the conversation took a sharper turn when the topic shifted to shortstop. Boone praised Jose Caballero in terms that put Volpe’s job security in question. The message was unmistakable.
An ace on track for his return
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Cole missed the entire 2025 MLB season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on March 11, 2025. Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed the procedure in Los Angeles. The surgery included an internal brace designed to prevent reinjury during recovery.
The 35-year-old right-hander began throwing off flat ground in August. He progressed to mound work by November. His rehabilitation has followed the standard 14 to 18-month timeline without delays.
Boone provided an encouraging update during his WFAN appearance.
“He’s had a good rehab,” Boone said. “It’s gone according to plan, no hiccups.”
The manager expressed confidence in what lies ahead for his ace.
“So I’m expecting Gerrit Cole-like things,” Boone added. “We won’t rush him back, he won’t rush back. I think that’s important, but he’s been doing good pretty much every step of the way.”
Cole owns a 153-80 career record with a 3.18 ERA over 317 MLB starts. He won the 2023 American League Cy Young Award. His absence last season forced the Yankees to rely on Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt, and Marcus Stroman as their rotation anchors.
Caballero emerges as a legitimate threat
The Yankees acquired Jose Caballero from the Tampa Bay Rays at the July 31 trade deadline last season. The move seemed like a depth addition at the time. It has become something more significant.
Caballero delivered a 134 wRC+ in 40 games with the Yankees. He slashed .266/.372/.456 with three home runs and 15 stolen bases in just 95 plate appearances. He led all of MLB with 49 stolen bases in 2025.
His walk-off single against the Chicago White Sox on September 23 clinched the Yankees’ playoff berth. That performance earned him serious consideration for increased playing time.
Boone did not hide his admiration for the 29-year-old infielder.
“Now with Caballero in the mix, we have someone that it’s like, man, this guy is a really good Major League player,” Boone said. “I think he showed that with us and he’s shown that the past couple years with Tampa and Seattle. He can legit defend at a lot of different places, including shortstop.”
The manager acknowledged Caballero has forced his way into the conversation.
“So, he started to push himself into the mix a little bit last year,” Boone continued.
Volpe faces mounting pressure
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Volpe’s offensive struggles have become impossible to ignore. The 24-year-old shortstop owns a .662 OPS across three MLB seasons. He batted just .212 with 19 home runs and 72 RBI in 2025 while dealing with a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder.
His career numbers paint a troubling picture. Since his 2023 debut, Volpe has posted a .222 batting average with 52 home runs, 192 RBI, and 217 runs scored. The Gold Glove defense has kept him in the lineup. The bat has not justified his prominent role.
Volpe will miss the early part of the 2026 season while recovering from shoulder surgery. Caballero will hold down shortstop in his absence. That extended audition could determine the position’s future.
Boone expressed faith in Volpe’s potential while issuing a subtle warning.
“I still think Anthony is going to be a frontline shortstop in this league,” Boone said. “Everyone’s path isn’t linear. We always want it to be here, and that can be tough, especially in New York when you’re kind of finding your way.”
The manager delivered his clearest message about the competition ahead.
“I think he’s gonna turn into that player and I want it to be here,” Boone said. “But bringing in guys like Caballero, I think that’s good for competition.”
Boone addresses front office rumors
Questions about Brian Cashman’s influence on in-game decisions have followed Boone throughout his tenure. The manager used Monday’s interview to push back forcefully.
“It’s not true,” Boone said. “And even to the degree of the other stuff, like before a game, we meet and that’s not really how it goes down either.”
He offered a defense of the longtime general manager’s approach.
“Cash is not in the weeds on the baseball stuff,” Boone explained. “Cash is the best hirer, delegator, overseer that I’ve ever been around. He’s not in the weeds. He’s not that guy.”
A roster built for redemption
The Yankees fell to the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Division Series last October. That defeat stung Boone deeply. His team won 94 games and earned a Wild Card berth but failed to advance.
“The end of last season was arguably the hardest one I’ve had,” Boone admitted. “Because I felt so strongly about our group.”
The Yankees re-signed outfielder Cody Bellinger and right-hander Paul Blackburn this offseason. They traded for left-hander Ryan Weathers from the Miami Marlins. They added infielder Amed Rosario for depth.
Boone believes the largely unchanged roster can deliver what eluded them in 2025.
“So I’m personally excited about having the players that we do going back at it because I think there’s a hunger there after we didn’t finish the job,” Boone said. “And I think we’re really good.”
Boone enters his ninth season at the helm. He owns a .584 winning percentage over eight years. He has guided the Yankees to the postseason seven times. A World Series title remains his only missing achievement.
“I want to win,” he said. “I want to win it all. That’s why I’m coming back. It’s a grind, it’s tough, but I love our guys, I love the people I do it with, I love working for the Steinbrenners and Cash and it’s a great place to be. And there’d be no better place to win.”
Spring Training opens later this month in Tampa. All eyes will be on Caballero’s audition at shortstop. And on whether Cole’s smooth recovery continues as expected.
