Yankees option Anthony Volpe to Minor Leagues after rehab stint...

The New York Yankees smoked the Baltimore Orioles 11-3 on Sunday, moving to 23-11 on the season. Before they go for the four-game sweep of their division rivals on Monday, a big decision had to be made. Anthony Volpe’s rehab stint in the minors expired on Sunday, but the Yankees are keeping him in AAA. “The Yankees have told Anthony Volpe he is being optioned to the minors, The Post has learned,” Joel Sherman reported. The team later confirmed the report with a statement of its own. “Following today’s game, the Yankees returned INF Anthony Volpe from his rehab assignment, reinstated him from the 10-day injured list, and optioned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.” Volpe underwent offseason surgery on his shoulder, fixing an injury suffered during the 2025 season. After missing spring training, he volleyed between AA Somerset and AAA Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on his rehab assignment. Volpe went 0-for-4 for Somerset in Sunday’s loss to Portland, droping is MiLB slash line to .250/.306/.318 for a .624 OPS. Jose Caballero joined the Yankees at last summer’s trade deadline and has been the primary MLB shortstop this season. He went 1-for-4 in Sunday’s win and has a .259/.306/.405 slash line for a .711 OPS. Add in strong defense, and Aaron Boone decided he could not switch his shortstop yet. Volpe was a first-round draft pick by the Yankees, flying through the minors with elite offensive numbers and solid defense. His first year was shaky, but it did include 20 homers and a Gold Glove at short. But his offense never improved, with his OPS never ending above .670, and his defense in 2025 was dreadful. With Caballero stealing his spot, the Yankees were left with no choice. The Yankees have the best record in the American League, largely thanks to great pitching. But now, everyone will be waiting on Caballero’s next slump and what that means for Volpe.