It’s never a good thing to wish an injury on any player, but when it happened to Anthony Volpe, many fans were relieved. Not because Volpe was injured. But because he wasn’t going to be on the team for the first few games. And it looks like the New York Yankees have already found a $2 million replacement, too.

“Volpe played through a partially torn labrum… He has not ruled out an April return,” wrote Jorge Castillo.

“In the meantime, José Caballero will begin the season as the every-day shortstop. Cashman, in December, opened the door for Caballero to remain the starting shortstop if he plays well.”

This season felt like a turning point for Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe after 2025.

In 2025, he hit .212 with 19 homers and 72 RBIs across 153 games. His OPS finished at .663, placing him below league average for everyday starting shortstops. The numbers frustrated fans because New York entered the year expecting clear offensive growth, but found nothing to support the case for Anthony Volpe.

Aaron Boone still backed him publicly. Yet, Volpe disappointed the Yankees.

Through 2025, Volpe committed defensive errors while playing with a shoulder injury. He finished the season with 19 errors. He later revealed the injury (partially torn labrum) aggravated from a “pop” while diving for a ball on the left-field grass at Yankee Stadium against the Tampa Bay Rays (May 3, 2025). It required surgery in October to repair the torn labrum after the season ended.

But Volpe insisted the injury was not an excuse for his poor season in 2025.

Boone continued to give him starts despite September struggles. By postseason elimination, Volpe finished with disappointing production.

Now the story shifts because Volpe is recovering from shoulder surgery and missing Opening Day.

Reports indicate his return could arrive late April or sometime in May. During that period, versatile infielder Jose Caballero will likely start at shortstop for New York.

In December, Brian Cashman even admitted Caballero could keep the position if performance meets expectations. That comment quietly signaled competition after Volpe previously held a position without any real challenge from inside the team.

If Volpe’s struggles continue, he may even face a brutal Tim Anderson-like fate.

The Chicago White Sox’s sharting shortstop lost his role after a steep decline in performance during the 2023 season. After being a two-time All-Star, he had the worst year of his career, batting .245 with no home runs in 53 games. He even moved to second base briefly due to injury and performance issues.

Finally, the South Side declined Anderson’s $14 million option for 2024, and he signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Miami Marlins. He was DFA’d in July, following which he signed a minor-league deal with the Los Angeles Angels in early 2025. But in late May, he was again designated for assignment due to poor performance.

The once-highest batting average (.335) producer in MLB (2019) is now facing questions regarding his career!

Jose Caballero brings a different profile built on speed and defensive flexibility across multiple positions.

In 2025, he hit .236 with a .686 OPS while splitting time between the Yankees and the Rays. He also stole 49 bases, leading all Major League players during the 2025 season. He showed that he could get hits and be consistent with a .266 average in 40 games for the Yankees. Those flashes created hope that everyday playing time might unlock more consistent offense for him.

That upside matters because pressure inside the Yankees clubhouse feels heavier than usual this year.

The franchise has not celebrated a World Series title in 16 seasons since 2009. Boone, therefore, faces louder expectations to deliver results rather than endless patience with development.

Suppose Caballero thrives early while Anthony Volpe rehabs, the shortstop conversation will naturally lean towards Jose Caballero. Then, what’s the solution for Volpe?

 Starting Anthony Volpe in the minors might be better

Anthony Volpe will come into the team recovering from an injury. And with how his 2025 season went, his confidence may be quite low. Plus, with the news that Caballero might replace him, it may not all be jazzy for Volpe.

The soon-to-be 25-year-old (April 28) appeared in 472 of 486 games since his debut, yet his offense never reached league average.

The club also sees only three years of control left before arbitration costs rise. That reality has sparked talk about giving him real time in Triple-A Scranton.

Coaches believe months away could help calm his swing that often drifts off balance.

There were stretches last season where he stepped in the bucket for nearly three weeks.

Keeping him longer in Scranton also means missing the 172-day mark for service time. That shift would push free agency from 2029 to 2030, making this a serious business decision.

Still, the plan only works if the Yankees clearly explain why patience matters now more than ever.

Under league rules, players with under five service years can be optioned without consent. A quieter stretch in Triple A could let him test changes without stadium pressure. Many still believe steady work there might finally unlock the Anthony Volpe we expected.