Yankees starting Anthony Volpe at shortstop to be a 'day-to-day' conversation

It didn't come as too much of a surprise to see Jose Caballeropenciled into the Yankees' starting lineup instead of Anthony Volpe.

The third-year shortstop has struggled in 2025 and Tuesday's loss to the Tigers seemed like a tipping point. Volpe went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a failed bunt attempt that had the Yankee Stadium crowd booing the youngster as he walked back to the dugout.

"I just feel like [Caballero] deserves to play some," manager Aaron Boone said of the lineup decision before Wednesday's game. "Obviously, it’s been a tough stretch for Volpe offensively here and it's just that time of year, all hands on deck. It just felt like that was the best move for us today."

When asked how many starts Caballero would get with only 18 games remaining, the Yankees skipper said the decision is "day-to-day" and that they'll reassess after the game and heading into Thursday's series finale. Boone did say that Wednesday's decision was a combination of Volpe's struggles and trying to give Caballero some run before the end of the year and potentially into the postseason.

Since being acquired from the Rays on July 31, Caballero has shown flashes as a member of the Yankees. In 26 games, Caballero is 10-for-43 (.233) with an OBP of .346. While he doesn't have the pop of Volpe, Caballero is getting on base more and stealing bases.

Caballero has stolen nine bases with the Yankees to add to his MLB-leading 43, which includes nine games of multiple stolen bases.

"Obviously, Cabby's been a really good player for us since coming over. He brings a lot of value in so many different ways," Boone said. "Have a lot of confidence when he's in there, when he's in the lineup. Love also having the bench versatility, and the things that he brings at different points in the game. Hopefully, he can go in there and be a little spark for us tonight and continue his good play."

"He's a really talented, impactful player when he's going well. Hopefully, we can still get him to that point."
Aaron Boone was asked what he thinks has happened to Anthony Volpe: pic.twitter.com/XYCRUgmAuW

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After going hitless Tuesday, Volpe is now hitting .206 for the season and is 2-for-17 with 10 strikeouts and no walks over his last five games.

Boone pointed to the peaks and valleys of Volpe's season and career so far. But despite that, they believe there's a good hitter in there.

"I think offensively, for the better part of the last six-eight weeks. It's been a struggle," Boone said. "He's had some pockets in there, where he's done well. There's a lot of the underlying stuff this year, offensively speaking, that has been better than ever in a lot of ways. He hasn't got to that point that we all wanted him to get to offensively…that real consistency.

"I still think it's very possible even this year, and hopefully in October too [where] he's playing his best baseball. We saw some of his best baseball last October when he was at his best. As much as we want to get down on people in certain spots and write them off and stuff, this game can flip like that, and all of a sudden, you get it rolling and get it working a little bit. And he's a really talented, impactful player when he's going well. So hopefully, we can still get him to that point."

In 14 games in the postseason last year, Volpe excelled, slashing .286/.407/.408 with an OPS of .815 to go along with one home run and six RBI. His grand slam in Game 4 of the 2024 World Series gave the Yankees a lead they wouldn't relinquish as the team staved off elimination.

Volpe has fallen quite a bit since last October, but Boone and the Yankees continue to see him as their starting shortstop, even with Caballero's start, but they are in "day-to-day mode" and are playing for a lot right now.

Going into Wednesday's game, the Yankees are three games back of Toronto for the AL East, and are in a virtual tie with the Red Sox for the top Wild Card spot.

"I have the decision to make every day with the lineup and I'll make whatever tough decision," Boone said. "My hope, is that, [Volpe] can kind of get it going here to a point where he is that guy because I think when we're at our best, he's out there, impacting us on both sides of the ball, and it frees up Cabby to play a different role, too."