NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Struggling New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe usually rolls with the punches thrown by the rabid fanbase over his inconsistency at the plate, but he offered a rare public response Wednesday.
Volpe reportedly denied playing second base while in Triple-A this season, but he called “BS” on that claim. The report has since been withdrawn.
“It couldn’t be further from the truth,” Volpe told reporters via the New York Post. “From my end, from my perspective, it has been very clearly communicated to [manager Aaron Boone] and the team. I think it’s just kind of BS, honestly, because I hope my teammates in here – I’ve been playing with them for over three years – I hope they know my character and that I would literally do anything to help the team win. Literally anything.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Anthony Volpe of the New York Yankees leaves the field during the game between the Minnesota Twins and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, July 4, 2026 in New York, New York. (Michael Mooney/MLB Photos)
“So I think just the narrative and what it’s trying to say about me, I feel like I’m defending myself over something that literally didn’t happen.”
The 25-year-old added that the Yankees had not approached him about changing his position until José Caballero, who began the season as the team’s shortstop, went off the injured list in May.
Volpe, who had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder, worked through his rehab with the mindset of being a shortstop. That was the case during his rehab assignment, although he was optioned to Triple-A on May 4 when he was set to come off the injured list due to Caballero’s strong performance to begin the season.
ANTHONY RIZZO ADVISES JAZZ CHISHOLM’S ‘IMMaturity’ AFTER SENTENCE DURING YANKEES’ FENWAY PARK SWEEP
Volpe also mentioned that he checked in with the Yankees in the offseason and asked what was expected of him at a time when his rehab process only allowed him to take ground balls. He couldn’t throw over the diamond yet.
Volpe said the message from the Yankees was to be ready to play shortstop.
When the season began, GM Brian Cashman also noted that the plan was always to have Volpe back in the mix as the team’s shortstop, but Caballero’s play forced the Yankees’ hand.
Anthony Volpe of the New York Yankees prepares to field a ground ball during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 2026 in New York City. (Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images)
But things changed when Caballero himself got injured and Volpe was naturally called back to fill the spot. At the time, he only played shortstop at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
“When I got drafted, I told Booney I wanted to play catcher, I wanted to do literally whatever the team needed,” Volpe explained. “And that’s the truth behind the story. That’s why what was said catches me so off-guard, because there was literally zero of it.”
In the end, Volpe said he had “no problem” with the introduction of a position change.
“I want to be here and I want to help the team win the World Series. That’s literally all I want,” Volpe said.
Boone added, “I know he would do anything. Volpe’s character and team-first [mindset] is undisputed. He’s as good as it gets. He has been through a lot and he has handled everything with toughness, with grace, with work ethic and with team-first in mind. That’s how he’s always been.”
Anthony Volpe of the New York Yankees throws his helmet during the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 2026 in New York City. (Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
Volpe, a first-round pick out of Delbarton High School in New Jersey by the Yankees back in 2019, has had his moments with the team, but the consistency hasn’t been there through parts of four seasons.
For his career, Volpe is slashing .224/.287/.375 with a .662 OPS across 513 games. Volpe’s 19 errors at shortstop last season also led MLB in that category. He has three in 36 starts this year for the Yankees.
