Aaron Boone and Anthony Volpe (Photos by Imagn Images)

Aaron Boone Reveals The Perfect Shortstop As Anthony Volpe’s Backup

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Heena Singh | Last updated Mar 18, 2026 12:47 PM ET

The New York Yankees and Aaron Boone are juggling early-season uncertainty, and it’s forcing some creative thinking in the infield. Anthony Volpe is sidelined after offseason shoulder surgery. And now, the shortstop picture is not just about plugging a hole, but how they reshape roster flexibility heading into 2026.

That’s where Ryan McMahon enters the chat. We all know him as a third baseman, but McMahon has been getting reps at short this spring. The Yankees want versatility. And if this experiment sticks, it could open the door to carrying more offensive depth instead of a glove-only backup. This drops amid Brian Cashman defending Boone from the “puppet” narrative.

That said, on March 17, 2026, via MLB.com and reporter Chris Kirschner, manager Aaron Boone alluded that he’s already sold on the idea. Plus, he alluded that he’d feel more “comfortable” playing the 31-year-old at shortstop.

Aaron Boone said that he would feel "comfortable" playing Ryan McMahon at shortstop, according to Chris Kirschner.#Yankees pic.twitter.com/kuLklkx8pI
— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) March 17, 2026

McMahon has just a handful of career innings at short. However, Boone pointed to his arm strength and clean fielding instincts as reasons for confidence. He’s already logged four Grapefruit League starts there. The move also helps bridge the gap until Volpe’s expected return around May, while keeping options like José Caballero and Oswaldo Cabrera in play.

Aaron Boone Drops Careful Timeline as Carlos Rodón Nears Yankees Return

Aaron Boone (Image Credits: Imagn)

New York’s easing into 2026 with question marks on the mound, and Carlos Rodón is right at the center of it. The lefty is trending in the right direction, but the team isn’t rushing anything.

Having taken a dig at Juan Soto back in March, Boone kept it measured on March 17, 2026, via Chris Kirschner, making it clear the timeline remains cautious. Rodón is building up through live sessions and likely won’t appear in a spring game, even as progress continues.

That timeline lines up with earlier projections after his elbow procedure delayed the start of his season. With Gerrit Cole also out, the Yankees will lean on depth early. However, once Rodón is back, he’s expected to anchor the rotation again.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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