The New York Yankees are gearing up for a promising run in the AL East this year, aiming to surpass last season's finish behind the Toronto Blue Jays. However, the injury bug has already bitten, with Anthony Volpe's recovery being a key concern.
According to Aaron Boone, Volpe is expected to begin a rehab assignment around the second week of April. Essentially, he'll be catching up on what amounts to a full spring training at that point. This timeline offers a glimmer of hope for Yankees fans eager to see Volpe back in action.
Volpe burst onto the major league scene in 2023, snagging a Gold Glove right out of the gate. While he hit .209 with 21 home runs and 60 RBIs that year, he showed improvement in 2024, batting .243 with 12 homers and maintaining his knack for scoring, crossing the plate 90 times. Last season, Volpe hit .212 with a .272 OBP, adding 19 home runs and 72 RBIs to his resume.
In Volpe's absence, Jose Caballero is expected to fill in at shortstop. Fresh off a stint in the World Baseball Classic, Caballero went 4-for-15 with two home runs, two RBIs, and two runs scored. During his 40-game stretch with the Yankees in 2025, after a move from the Tampa Bay Rays, he hit .266 with five home runs and 36 RBIs, showing he can hold his own.
With a solid 18-11 record in spring training, the Yankees are positioning themselves as contenders for the 2026 season. They’ll kick off their campaign on the road against the San Francisco Giants on March 25. Yankees fans have plenty to be excited about as the season unfolds.