Yankees option Volpe to Triple-A after 3 seasons as starting SS

Anthony Volpe will have to earn his spot back on the New York Yankees.

The shortstop was activated from the 10-day IL on Sunday and optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Volpe spent the last three seasons as the Yankees' everyday shortstop, slashing .222/.283/.379 with 52 home runs and 70 stolen bases across 472 games.

The 25-year-old's struggled to improve offensively over that span and took a major step back defensively in 2025, ranking in the eighth percentile in outs above average, according to Baseball Savant.

Volpe attributed some of those defensive issues to a torn labrum, which he played through for part of last season. He underwent shoulder surgery in October before beginning a rehab assignment in April.

Volpe hit .275/.333/.350 with one home run and nine strikeouts in 12 games split between Double-A Somerset and Triple-A.

The Yankees have deployed José Caballero at shortstop to open the season. The 29-year-old has been solid, hitting .259/.306/.405 with four home runs and a team-leading 13 stolen bases. He also ranks in the 90th percentile in OAA, helping to solidify the infield defense.