The New York Yankees optioned Anthony Volpe to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday after the shortstop returned from his minor league rehabilitation assignment.
The Yankees had delayed whether to activate Volpe or option him until his rehab window in the minors ended Sunday.
Volpe was recovering from left shoulder surgery he underwent in October of last year and is batting .275 with one homer and six RBIs in 13 minor league games.
With Volpe out, Jose Caballero has taken over as the Yankees’ starting shortstop and is playing well, hitting .259 with four homers, 12 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.
“It complicates it a little bit, clearly,” manager Aaron Boone said Friday of the situation between Volpe and Caballero. “Jose’s earned opportunities and been a key part of our club here and a part of the success here to start out the season.”
If Volpe, 25, is optioned to the minors for at least 20 days, it would delay his free agent eligibility by a year until after the 2029 season.
A 2023 Gold Glove winner, Volpe hit .212 with 19 homers and a career-high 72 RBIs last year but made a career-high 19 errors, tied for third most among major league shortstops.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
