Yankees option Anthony Volpe after rehab window closes

New York — Anthony VolpeRehab from left shoulder surgery ended Sunday, but the shortstop’s next step is not rejoining New York Yankees.

with Jose Caballero Outstanding as New York’s everyday shortstop, the AL East-leading Yankees announced they have optioned Volpe to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

“Caballero is playing out of position and playing really well,” manager Aaron Boone said before Sunday’s 11-3 win over Baltimore. “That makes it complicated.”

Volpe batted .250 (11 for 44) in 13 minor league rehab games, mostly for Double-A Somerset. Sunday was the 20th maximum day for rehabilitation in the minors.

If Volpe spends another 20 days or more in the minors, it will delay his free-agent eligibility by one year until the 2029 season.

Volpe underwent left shoulder surgery on October 14, a week after the Yankees were eliminated by Toronto in the AL Division Series.

Volpe hit .212 with 19 homers and a career-high 72 RBI last year but committed a career-high 19 errors, tied for third-most among major league shortstops. He received a cortisone shot on Sept. 10 after reviving a previous shoulder injury three days earlier.

Volpe had a cortisone shot during the All-Star break. He initially suffered the injury last season when he felt a pop in his shoulder during a loss to Tampa Bay on May 3.

As a rookie in 2023, Volpe won a Gold Glove and hit .209 with 21 homers, 60 RBIs and 24 steals after winning the shortstop job in spring training.

He batted .243 with 12 homers and 60 RBIs in 2024.

In the 2024 playoffs, Volpe batted .286 and hit a grand slam in Game 4 of the World Series. Los Angeles Dodgers.

Caballero has started 33 of the Yankees’ 34 games this season at shortstop. On Friday, he hit a leadoff homer in the second inning at Baltimore Cade Povich. He is batting .259 with four homers, 12 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.

“He was right in the middle, defensively and offensively,” Boone said. “He’s earned some opportunities there. It’s really as simple as that.”

The 29-year-old acquired from Tampa Bay last July 31, Caballero is hitting .316 (24 for 76) with 11 RBIs in his last 21 games.