Anthony Volpe Facing Career Change After Yankees Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Trant | Last updated May 22, 2026 8:35 PM ET

The New York Yankees are battling for the top seed in the American League East with the Tampa Bay Rays throughout the early portion of the 2026 MLB season. Entering Friday’s matchup against the first-place Rays with a record of 30-21 and 4.5 games behind, the Yankees have relied heavily on lineup versatility while navigating injuries and inconsistency throughout portions of the roster.

One of the more notable developments surrounding New York’s lineup recently has centered around 25-year-old shortstop Anthony Volpe. The former top prospect remains an important piece of the Yankees' future, but the organization now appears willing to experiment with Volpe at second base in order to maximize playing time.

New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11)© Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

According to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed that Volpe will begin working out at second base on days he is not playing shortstop, while also discussing the possibility of Volpe sharing the shortstop job with José Caballero.

“Anthony Volpe will begin working out at second base on days when he is not playing shortstop. Aaron Boone said he spoke to both Jose Caballero and Volpe about sharing duties at shortstop. Caballero will also bounce around. ‘As I’ve told them each, it’s not going to be the perfect scenario on a given day,’” Hoch shared on X.

Anthony Volpe will begin working out at second base on days when he is not playing shortstop. Aaron Boone said he spoke to both Jose Caballero and Volpe about sharing duties at shortstop. Caballero will also bounce around. “As I’ve told them each, it’s not going to be the perfect…
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) May 22, 2026

Volpe’s move to second base comes during an inconsistent start to the season for him, as he made his season debut on May 13 after recovering from a torn labrum. In eight games this season, he is batting .217 with an OPS of .704.

While Volpe remains an important part of New York’s future, José Caballero has continued earning additional opportunities at shortstop because of his defensive versatility and steady production. In 41 games, Caballero is batting .259 with a .720 OPS and 13 stolen bases.

While the Yankees are not completely moving away from playing Volpe at shortstop, Boone and the organization appear focused on balancing the best possible defensive alignment with consistent offensive involvement for both Volpe and Caballero.

The Yankees begin a three-game home series against the Rays on Friday.

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

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