Yankees shortstop José Caballero was placed on the 10-day injured list with a fractured right middle finger on Tuesday, opening a spot for Anthony Volpe's return to the big leagues.
Volpe was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and was expected to join the Yankees for their game against the Orioles in Baltimore on Tuesday night.
Caballero's fracture, which he sustained while diving back into first base during the ninth inning of the Yankees’ 4-3 loss to the Brewers in Milwaukee on Sunday, was confirmed by an MRI exam. Caballero said he attempted to throw, but “it just doesn’t feel great.”
Volpe missed most of Spring Training while recovering from left shoulder surgery performed in October. The Yankees optioned Volpe to Triple-A when his Minor League rehab clock expired, with general manager Brian Cashman saying that Caballero’s all-around play had earned more playing time.
The 25-year-old Volpe will begin his fourth big league season after being named the Yanks’ Opening Day shortstop in 2023. In 472 Major League games, Volpe has posted a .222/.283/.379 slash line. Last season, he batted .212/.272/.391 with 19 home runs, 72 RBIs and 18 stolen bases in 153 games.
In nine Triple-A games for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Volpe was 8-for-39 (.205) with one home run, five RBIs and two stolen bases. Also including a nine-game stint with Double-A Somerset, he was 15-for-68 (.221) with eight RBIs and four steals.
“He’s mentally a very tough kid, and that will serve him well as he navigates this,” Boone said.