NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 17: Jose Caballero #72 of the New York Yankees looks on during the game against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium on April 17, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images)
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The New York Yankees lost to the Texas Rangers on Wednesday, but they had already captured their fourth series in a row and hold the best record in the American League.
After bringing back largely the same roster as last year, the team has enjoyed continued production from superstar slugger Aaron Judge and growing contributions from supporting players like Ben Rice.
“I feel like we’re in a good place,” manager Aaron Boone said despite Wednesday’s loss to the Rangers, according to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. “We’re playing well.”
But as the Yankees enjoy their momentum, they could soon have a significant question to answer about just how willing they are to disrupt the group that has earned them a first-place spot in the standings.
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Former everyday shortstop Anthony Volpe appears close to full health after undergoing offseason surgery and the team will have to decide whether it will call him up, potentially replacing veteran Jose Caballero who has been manning the position well so far this year.
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“Caballero definitely has made a case that he should remain the starter with his hitting, baserunning and defense playing shortstop for 30 of the Yankees’ first 31 games, 20 of them victories,” Randy Miller wrote for NJ.com. “Also, the Yankees probably will be weighing what they think they can get out of Volpe, who had his worst season hitting and fielding last year.”
Caballero is slashing .267/.313/.400 with an American League leading 12 stolen bases so far. Volpe slashed just .212/.272/.391 last season with some pronounced struggles on defense.
But the Yankees brass have consistently been outspoken supporters of Volpe’s, even through the worst of his struggles. And it seems possible that the team will slot him back into the everyday shortstop role despite Caballero’s success.
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“I just want to be in the lineup every day,” Caballero said of his role with the Yankees, per NJ.com’s Randy Miller. “But if shortstop is the only open position, then I want it. I think any player would say the same thing.”
Caballero added that he is hoping Volpe returns and stays healthy and that he is simply looking to contribute to wins however he can. But he was clear that, if it comes down to only one available spot between the two players when Volpe returns, that he wants that spot for himself.
“Whatever they do, I just want to be in there somewhere,” Caballero added, according to Miller. “And again, I’ll be happy playing anywhere, but if there’s only one spot open for me, I want it.”
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