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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Anthony Volpe had the Yankees championship wrestling belt in his locker, signifying his contribution to Monday’s comeback win.
Any further evidence of that moment, or what it meant to deliver a go-ahead, ninth-inning single – with daily questions about his playing time – would have to be mined elsewhere.
“We have really big goals and it’s going to take all of us,’’ said Volpe, after his two-run hit delivered a 4-3 Memorial Day afternoon victory against the Royals.
And yes, that’s all that mattered at Kauffman Stadium, where the Yanks (32-22) were hoping to build on the momentum of Sunday’s walk-off win versus the Rays – on Aaron Judge’s ninth-inning homer.
But of deeper significance, Volpe’s key contribution occurred during his first start at shortstop in three games, since Jose Caballero’s activation (fractured finger) off the injury list.
Caballero started at third base and delivered, too, with an RBI single off starter Michael Wacha and a nice, charging play of a grounder by leadoff man Maikel Garcia to end the game.
“It’s a tough play, but we got it done,’’ said Caballero, helping save it for David Bednar with a runner at first base and Bobby Witt Jr. – who homered in his previous at-bat – on deck.
Wacha’s reverse splits helped manager Aaron Boone decide to start both Caballero and Volpe on the infield’s left side, with .190-hitting third baseman Ryan McMahon on the bench.
Maybe this Caballero-Volpe lineup dynamic occurs more often. Caballero could even get an outfield start this series, Boone said.
Overall, “I feel like our depth and everything is just in a better place,’’ said Boone, mentioning how it’ll improve even more when Giancarlo Stanton (calf strain) and Jasson Dominguez (shoulder strain) return.
“It doesn’t really matter who plays what position, as long as we do it the right way and help the team win,’’ said Caballero, echoing Volpe’s sentiment.
“That’s what I care about.’’
Facing KC closer Lucas Erceg with one out in the ninth, Paul Goldschmidt managed a broken-bat infield hit and was subbed out for pinch-runner Max Schuemann.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. followed with a double to right, setting up second and third for Volpe – who fell behind 0-and-2.
“Just put the ball in play,’’ was Volpe’s overriding thought.
Volpe took a slider for a ball before getting another slider and lifting it to left, over a drawn-in infield, for the go-ahead, two-run single.
“He’s a gamer. He’s a tough kid,’’ said Boone, who also lauded Volpe for not chasing the 0-2 slider, giving himself “another opportunity’’ in a game where the Yanks wasted previous scoring chances.
As to Volpe’s not-fully-defined lineup status (with maybe some second base in his immediate future), after three years as the regular shortstop, Boone acknowledged that Volpe "maybe even doesn’t feel that’s fair.''
Yet, Volpe has “come up here and in his first several games back, played well,’’ while maintaining his usual hard-working demeanor and playing “his tail off’’ during games.
“Just felt great to contribute,’’ said Volpe, which is “all I ever wanted to do while I was working, and battling to come back.’’
Optioned to the minors after his minor league rehab (offseason left shoulder surgery) expired, Volpe would hear from teammates like Chisholm, who watched him play hurt in 2025.
“You’re built for this,’’ Chisholm reminded Volpe in texts. “This is why you were here before and this is why you’re going to come back’’ to the Yankees and perform.
“He’s a pretty confident kid,’’ said Chisholm, and that confidence got another boost on Monday afternoon.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: How Anthony Volpe, Jose Caballero can impact Yankees season together
Continue reading...
Any further evidence of that moment, or what it meant to deliver a go-ahead, ninth-inning single – with daily questions about his playing time – would have to be mined elsewhere.
“We have really big goals and it’s going to take all of us,’’ said Volpe, after his two-run hit delivered a 4-3 Memorial Day afternoon victory against the Royals.
And yes, that’s all that mattered at Kauffman Stadium, where the Yanks (32-22) were hoping to build on the momentum of Sunday’s walk-off win versus the Rays – on Aaron Judge’s ninth-inning homer.
But of deeper significance, Volpe’s key contribution occurred during his first start at shortstop in three games, since Jose Caballero’s activation (fractured finger) off the injury list.
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The Jose Caballero-Anthony Volpe dynamic
Caballero started at third base and delivered, too, with an RBI single off starter Michael Wacha and a nice, charging play of a grounder by leadoff man Maikel Garcia to end the game.
“It’s a tough play, but we got it done,’’ said Caballero, helping save it for David Bednar with a runner at first base and Bobby Witt Jr. – who homered in his previous at-bat – on deck.
Wacha’s reverse splits helped manager Aaron Boone decide to start both Caballero and Volpe on the infield’s left side, with .190-hitting third baseman Ryan McMahon on the bench.
Maybe this Caballero-Volpe lineup dynamic occurs more often. Caballero could even get an outfield start this series, Boone said.
Overall, “I feel like our depth and everything is just in a better place,’’ said Boone, mentioning how it’ll improve even more when Giancarlo Stanton (calf strain) and Jasson Dominguez (shoulder strain) return.
“It doesn’t really matter who plays what position, as long as we do it the right way and help the team win,’’ said Caballero, echoing Volpe’s sentiment.
“That’s what I care about.’’
Anthony Volpe comes through clutch for Yankees
Facing KC closer Lucas Erceg with one out in the ninth, Paul Goldschmidt managed a broken-bat infield hit and was subbed out for pinch-runner Max Schuemann.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. followed with a double to right, setting up second and third for Volpe – who fell behind 0-and-2.
“Just put the ball in play,’’ was Volpe’s overriding thought.
Volpe took a slider for a ball before getting another slider and lifting it to left, over a drawn-in infield, for the go-ahead, two-run single.
“He’s a gamer. He’s a tough kid,’’ said Boone, who also lauded Volpe for not chasing the 0-2 slider, giving himself “another opportunity’’ in a game where the Yanks wasted previous scoring chances.
As to Volpe’s not-fully-defined lineup status (with maybe some second base in his immediate future), after three years as the regular shortstop, Boone acknowledged that Volpe "maybe even doesn’t feel that’s fair.''
Yet, Volpe has “come up here and in his first several games back, played well,’’ while maintaining his usual hard-working demeanor and playing “his tail off’’ during games.
“Just felt great to contribute,’’ said Volpe, which is “all I ever wanted to do while I was working, and battling to come back.’’
Optioned to the minors after his minor league rehab (offseason left shoulder surgery) expired, Volpe would hear from teammates like Chisholm, who watched him play hurt in 2025.
“You’re built for this,’’ Chisholm reminded Volpe in texts. “This is why you were here before and this is why you’re going to come back’’ to the Yankees and perform.
“He’s a pretty confident kid,’’ said Chisholm, and that confidence got another boost on Monday afternoon.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: How Anthony Volpe, Jose Caballero can impact Yankees season together
Continue reading...
