Anthony Volpe wasn’t in the lineup again for Sunday’s 2-0 win over the Rays in The Bronx as José Caballero manned shortstop, but Volpe should get more playing time on the upcoming road trip.
When the Yankees visit Kansas City on Monday, they’ll face Michael Wacha, a right-hander who is tougher on lefty hitters than on righties, followed by lefties Bailey Falter and Noah Cameron.
And in Sacramento, the A’s are scheduled to throw left-hander Jacob Lopez on Saturday.
Volpe, according to manager Aaron Boone, just started working at second base, but Boone might keep him at short when he’s in the lineup, utilizing Caballero’s versatility around the infield.
“I expect Anthony to play a lot when we go to Kansas City, as well as [Caballero],’’ Boone said of the infield, which could land Ryan McMahon on the bench.
And while Boone said Volpe could just stay at short, he added, “I do want him working some at second, too.”
Volpe hasn’t played anything but shortstop in a game since 2021, when he was in High-A ball, although he did work a bit at second base before he won the starting job at short in 2023.
The Yankees traded for Caballero last season with the idea of playing him at different spots, but he’s focused his work at short while filling in for Volpe, who was sidelined by offseason shoulder surgery.
Boone said he expected Caballero to be able to go back to his utility role successfully if called upon.
“That’s one of his superpowers, his ability to move around,’’ Boone said of Caballero. “I have a ton of confidence in José. Wherever we put him on any given day, he has a chance to impact us in a lot of different ways.”
Aaron Judge’s dramatics weren’t limited to his game-winning homer in the ninth.
He also made a diving catch in the eighth that helped keep Tampa Bay from scoring — and he made an uncharacteristic baserunning error in the first.
Judge singled with one out and Ben Rice followed with a shot to right field.
When Ryan Vilade caught it, Judge found himself almost at second base and he was doubled off first to end the inning.
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“Usually any time Ben Rice hits it in the gap, it’s gonna go a long way,’’ Judge said. “I’ve got to keep my head on a swivel. Off the bat, I think it’s gonna be in the gap, I know it’s gonna be a close game and you’re trying to either score or get to third. I peeked up and it was right at him. That was a bad look. I’ve got to clean that up.”
With the Yankees locked in a scoreless game in the ninth, Boone went with lefty Tim Hill instead of closer David Bednar.
With the bottom half of the lineup due up — starting with lefty-swinging Chandler Simpson — Hill whiffed Simpson and then pitched around a walk and a single.
It came after Hill gave up four runs in Friday’s loss.
Gerrit Cole reported no issues after making his first start Friday since his March 2025 Tommy John surgery.
The right-hander was able to play catch and is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday in Kansas City, with Will Warren going Monday and Cam Schlittler on Tuesday.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
