The New York Yankees will have to make some intriguing roster decisions soon.
Starting shortstop Anthony Volpe is inching closer to a return, as are starting pitchers Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon. With Volpe nearing a return, he’s expected to be the team’s starting shortstop. Once that happens, Yankees insider Jimmy O’Brien of Jomboy Media believes Cabellero won’t be around anymore.
“I’m already missing Caballero knowing he’s not gonna be around,” O’Brien said on Talkin’ Yanks. “He brings a moment or two every game where I’m just like, damn, that’s fun, or that’s interesting, or that’s nice. … He gets hits, he makes some nice plays, but there’s just moments throughout these series, where I’m noticing him doing something, and Volpe’s gonna be back in two weeks and where did you go?”
Although O’Brien said Caballero won’t be around once Volpe is back, it would be a surprise to see New York move off from him. He still could be a nice bench player who can play around the infield and serve as some depth.
Caballero is hitting .233 with 1 home run and 8 RBIs to begin the year, as he’s been the team’s everyday shortstop. Yet, with Volpe getting closer to returning from an injury, Caballero’s time as the starter appears to be over.
Volpe Will be the Yankees’ Starting Shortstop
Volpe began the year on the IL after having offseason shoulder surgery.
Yet, he’s begun his rehab assignment, and he’s been playing well and could rejoin the MLB team in the next week or two. Once he does return, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman confirmed the plan is for him to be the starter.
“That’s always been the plan,” Cashman said. “But ultimately that’ll be the manager’s call.”
Cashman, meanwhile, believes Volpe has done everything right in his rehab to make sure he’s 100 percent ready when he returns.
“Looking to deploy him soon,” Cashman said about Volpe. “We obviously want to get his legs under him. He’s been getting a lot of live at-bats and then with Trajekt, you can close the gap on stuff like that too. But obviously the in-game defensive stuff and building your foundation, getting his spring training behind him that way.
“Typically you want to get like 55 at-bats of spring training for an everyday position player and then build him up safely with the defense from three to five to seven innings, then obviously nine innings. Then we’ll find a time to slot him in.”
Volpe is a one-time Gold Glove Award winner.
Volpe Says He’s ‘Ready to Go’
Although Volpe is continuing his rehab assignment, the shortstop believes he’s ready to go.
Volpe has performed well in the minors, and he believes he’s ready to go and return to the majors.
“I feel great. Ready to go,” Volpe said. “Nothing feels bad, it’s only good, so just keep stacking that and go from there.”
Volpe is hitting .364 in 4 games in the minors and should only need a handful more games before returning to the MLB.
New York is currently 13-9 and atop the AL East.
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