​Reiterating his willingness to do whatever the Yankees ask of him, Anthony Volpe stressed that he would “do anything” asked of him by the team. The shortstop said he was blindsided by a report that claimed he had refused to play second base in the minors, insisting that claim could not be further from the truth. Speaking Wednesday before starting at shortstop against the first-place Rays at Tropicana Field, Volpe made his stance clear: he would take on any role the Yankees needed him to fill.
Earlier in the day, Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay tweeted that he had heard a rumor on his ESPN New York radio show suggesting Volpe “would not play second base in the minors.” Kay added that the rumor “sounded unlike him,” prompting him to look into it further and conclude there was “absolutely no truth to it whatsoever” and that Volpe had never refused to work at second base. Later at the ballpark, Kay said he planned to find Volpe and offer an apology.
Volpe’s status as the Yankees’ shortstop has long been a hot topic among Yankees fans, with manager Aaron Boone repeatedly noting that both Jose Caballero and Volpe have earned the right to play the position. “I hope they’d know my character and that I’d literally do anything to help the team win. Literally anything,” Volpe said, learning of Kay’s initial comments from his personal trainer back home. He added that the narrative and what it implies about him were upsetting, as he felt compelled to defend himself against something that hadn’t happened.
Boone publicly supported Volpe’s commitment to what’s best for the club. “Volpe’s character, putting the team first, is beyond reproach,” Boone said. “He is as good as it gets. He’s been through a lot, and he’s handled everything with toughness and grace.” Boone’s comments came as Caballero started at shortstop for the first two games of the four-game set against the Rays, with Volpe on the bench.
On Wednesday, Volpe started at short against left-hander Shane McClanahan, while Caballero played second base and Jazz Chisholm Jr. was left on the bench. Volpe’s 2026 season had been delayed by last October’s left shoulder labrum tear, which opened the door for Caballero to begin as the Yankees’ regular shortstop. The team initially intended to move Volpe back to short once he was healthy, but Caballero’s and the club’s early success changed the plan. Volpe was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after his rehab assignment but was quickly recalled when Caballero went on the injured list in May with a fractured finger.
During his brief stint in the minors, the possibility of playing multiple infield positions was discussed with Volpe.