Aaron Judge: Anthony Volpe Demotion Tough but Will Fuel Motivation

The Yankees have shaken up their shortstop plans after Anthony Volpe’s rehab stint. Instead of bringing Volpe back, they’re sticking with José Caballero in the lineup.

This post takes a look at how Caballero’s recent run changed the Yankees’ thinking, what Volpe’s rehab has looked like, and what all of this might mean for New York as the season rolls on.

Volpe’s rehab plan shifts: why the Yankees trusted Caballero to keep the job

Anthony Volpe, 25, seemed close to reclaiming the everyday shortstop job after his injury rehab. But then José Caballero put together a run that made the Yankees rethink things.

Caballero’s defense has been outstanding, and he’s brought some real spark at the plate too. The Yankees jumped out to a 23-11 start, looking like a balanced threat, and Caballero was right in the middle of it. With Caballero thriving, the club just couldn’t take him out of the lineup.

Manager Aaron Boone said the move came down to performance and the bigger picture—getting both players as many meaningful reps as possible. Volpe, who missed time due to a left labrum injury and surgery last October, has been working his way back through the minors. The Yankees aren’t benching him for lack of talent; they’re hoping to give both guys the best shot at hitting their stride.

Caballero’s breakout fuels the decision

Since April 11, Caballero has been a catalyst for the Yankees,” Boone pointed out. Caballero’s hitting .316 with four homers, eight steals, and an .884 OPS over 21 games in that stretch.

The team’s gone 15-6 in games Caballero’s played, and his defense and speed have really stood out. He’s given New York a steady glove at shortstop and a bat that’s helped keep the lineup moving.

Volpe’s rehab numbers and injury history

Volpe’s road back hasn’t been simple. His shoulder surgery on Oct. 14 set things back, and since starting his rehab assignment on April 14, he’s gone 11-for-44 with one homer and a .624 OPS over 13 games in Double-A and Triple-A.

With Caballero doing so well, the Yankees decided to keep Volpe in the minors for now. They want him to sharpen his game, get regular at-bats, and fully recover before any return.

Reaction from the clubhouse: the human side of the move

Boone said the decision was really about Caballero’s current form and what the team needs. Volpe was in the loop, and Boone framed the move as a chance for Volpe to get steady playing time and come back stronger.

“This is about putting Volpe in a position to grow and come back ready to contribute,” Boone said. That’s the mindset—think development, not demotion.

Aaron Judge admitted Volpe’s move was “tough,” but he gave Caballero credit for earning his spot. Judge sounded optimistic that Volpe would use this as motivation, pointing out there’s a lot of season left and plenty of time for Volpe to become a key piece again.

What this means for the Yankees moving forward

With Volpe now playing every day at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, George Lombard shifts to other infield spots. The Yankees have more depth in the middle infield, but there’s no timetable for Volpe’s return to the majors.

It’s a temporary shake-up, but it could matter. The Yankees are clearly betting on the long-term growth of Volpe and riding Caballero’s current hot streak.

• Caballero holds down shortstop for now
• Lombard takes on other infield roles, which helps with versatility
• Volpe’s return depends on how he develops and performs in the minors
• Caballero’s balance on offense and defense is helping the Yankees in the short run

Looking ahead: Return timeline and next steps

Volpe’s next steps? He’s focused on sharpening his daily reps and getting healthy. You can tell he’s eager for another shot at the majors, but he wants to be ready when that moment comes.

Caballero keeps making his presence felt, which gives the Yankees some much-needed flexibility at shortstop. It’s not a bad spot to be in.

If Volpe keeps trending up in Triple-A, maybe he’ll get a call sooner rather than later. For now, though, the team’s sticking with what works and letting Volpe take his time.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Judge says Volpe demotion ‘tough,’ knows he’ll be motivated