Jose Caballero's Stellar Play Creates Dilemma for Yankees on Anthony Volpe's Return

Key facts

• Jose Caballero leads American League with 12 steals and has a 98 OPS+ in 30 games.
• Caballero is plus-six in defensive runs saved, best among all MLB shortstops.
• Anthony Volpe is hitting.303 with a.324 OBP and.394 slugging in 34 rehab plate appearances.
• Caballero has 89 assists at shortstop, most in the majors, with a.976 fielding percentage.
• Ryan McMahon, Yankees' third baseman, is batting.167 with a.268 OBP and three errors.
• Manager Aaron Boone repeatedly said 'we'll see' when asked about Volpe's starting role.

Replacement Who Fortified the Fort

When Anthony Volpe went down with an injury, the New York Yankees' plan was straightforward: keep the seat warm, get healthy, come back, play shortstop. Jose Caballero did not get the memo. Acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays last July for his versatility, Caballero has turned a temporary fill-in role into a full-blown positional crisis. Through the first month of the 2026 season, he leads the American League with 12 stolen bases, slashing.267/.313/.400 with three home runs and 11 RBIs in 30 games. He has at least one hit in 11 of his last 14 contests, including five multi-hit efforts. But it is his defense that has truly stunned the organization. Caballero ranks first among all MLB shortstops with plus-six defensive runs saved, overtaking reigning Gold Glove winner Bobby Witt Jr. He also leads the majors with 89 assists at shortstop, while posting a.976 fielding percentage and an 81% outs above average success rate, tied for fourth-best at the position.

Boone's Telling Non-Answer

Manager Aaron Boone's recent press conference offered the clearest signal yet that the Yankees' calculus has changed. When asked repeatedly about Volpe's potential return to the starting lineup, Boone offered only a terse 'we'll see.' 'He didn't try to put out the fire or anything like that,' Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay noted on the 'BT Unleashed' podcast. 'When he was pressed on Volpe, he kept saying, “Hey, we’ll see.” So that tells me that they’re going to wait and see.' The non-committal response stands in stark contrast to Boone's usual approach, which has historically been to affirm returning starters. Kay and host Brandon Tierney interpreted the shift as evidence that the organization is weighing whether to disrupt a winning formula.

Volpe's Rehab Numbers Raise Questions

Volpe, the former first-round pick and 2024 Gold Glove winner, is progressing through a rehab assignment across Double-A and Triple-A. In 34 plate appearances, he is batting.303 with a.324 on-base percentage and a.394 slugging percentage — numbers that, while solid, do not demand an immediate promotion. He has hit one home run with three RBIs and drawn only a single walk, suggesting his plate discipline remains a concern. Last season, Boone continued to start Volpe despite prolonged offensive struggles, a loyalty that frustrated fans. Now, with Caballero producing, the leash appears shorter. 'It's still long, but it's shorter than it was,' Kay said of Volpe's standing with the organization. Kay added that he still believes in Volpe's potential but acknowledged the situation has shifted.

A Path to Playing Both: Caballero at Third Base

The Yankees could resolve the logjam by moving Caballero to third base, a position he has played extensively. In 377 career innings at the hot corner, Caballero owns a.982 fielding percentage, including 41 innings after his trade to New York last July. That option becomes more attractive given the struggles of third baseman Ryan McMahon. Signed as a free agent, McMahon is hitting just.167 with a.268 on-base percentage, two home runs, seven RBIs, and 27 strikeouts in 29 games. His defense has also slipped, with a.935 fielding percentage and three errors. Caballero's versatility was a key reason the Yankees traded for him; he has played every position except catcher and first base in his four-year MLB career. Shifting him to third would allow Volpe to return to shortstop while keeping Caballero's bat and glove in the lineup.

The Stakes for a Winning Team

The Yankees entered the season with high expectations, and their strong start has amplified the pressure to maintain momentum. Inserting a struggling Volpe could disrupt team chemistry and risk fan backlash, as Kay noted: 'As long as they’re winning, I would not put the pressure on him nor put him in the crosshairs of the fans.' Volpe's rehab is ramping up, meaning a decision is imminent. The Yankees must weigh his defensive pedigree — which earned him a Gold Glove — against Caballero's proven production. Boone's hedging suggests the front office is not rushing to reinstate Volpe. For now, Caballero continues to start at shortstop, and the Yankees keep winning. The longer that holds, the harder it becomes to change.

What Comes Next for the Yankees' Infield

The organization faces an open question with no easy answer. If Volpe returns and struggles, the decision to bench him could create a long-term rift. If Caballero is moved to third, McMahon's role becomes uncertain, potentially leading to a trade or demotion. Boone's 'we'll see' approach buys time, but not indefinitely. Volpe's rehab assignment will soon conclude, forcing a roster move. The Yankees could option Volpe to the minors for additional seasoning, though that would be a significant blow to a former top prospect. Ultimately, the team's performance will dictate the timeline. As long as the wins keep coming, the status quo is likely to hold. But the moment Caballero's production dips or Volpe's bat heats up, the calculus could shift again.

A Dilemma Born of Unexpected Success

Jose Caballero has turned a routine injury replacement into a career-defining opportunity, and in doing so, has forced the Yankees to confront a luxury they rarely enjoy: too many good players at one position. His defensive excellence, base-stealing prowess, and timely hitting have made him indispensable. For Anthony Volpe, the path back to the starting lineup is no longer automatic. The Yankees' loyalty to their homegrown star is being tested by a 29-year-old journeyman who simply refused to be a placeholder. The outcome of this internal competition will shape not only the infield alignment but the team's identity for the rest of the season.

The bottom line

• Jose Caballero leads MLB shortstops in defensive runs saved (plus-six) and AL in steals (12), making a strong case to keep the starting job.
• Manager Aaron Boone's repeated 'we'll see' when asked about Anthony Volpe's return signals the Yankees are not committed to reinstating him immediately.
• Volpe's rehab numbers (.303 AVG,.324 OBP,.394 SLG) are solid but not dominant, and his plate discipline remains a concern with only one walk in 34 PA.
• The Yankees could move Caballero to third base, where he has a.982 fielding percentage, to accommodate both players, especially given Ryan McMahon's struggles (.167 AVG, three errors).
• The team's winning record adds pressure to avoid disrupting the lineup, with broadcaster Michael Kay advising against putting Volpe in the 'crosshairs of the fans.'
• Volpe's eventual return forces a decision that could affect team chemistry, player development, and the trade market for infielders.