NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe usually takes the heat from rabid fans for his inconsistency at the plate, but he offered a rare public response Wednesday.
Volpe reportedly refused to play second base while in Triple-A this season, but he called “BS” on that claim. The report has since been withdrawn.
“That couldn’t be further from the truth,” Volpe told reporters via the New York Post. “From my point of view, this was very clearly communicated to [manager Aaron Boone] and the team. I think it’s just a little bit of BS, honestly, because I hope that my teammates here – I’ve been playing with them for over three years – I hope that 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 PK Press Club
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. (Photos by Michael Mooney/MLB)
“So I just think about the narrative and what it’s trying to say about me, I feel like I’m defending myself against something that literally didn’t happen.”
The 25-year-old added that the Yankees did not approach him about changing positions until José Caballero, who began the season as the team’s shortstop, was removed from the injured list in May.
Volpe, who underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder, worked during his rehab with the mindset of a shortstop. This was the case during his rehab assignment, although he was optioned to Triple-A on May 4 when he was expected to come off the injured list due to Caballero’s strong performance to start the season.
ANTHONY RIZZO STATES JAZZ CHISHOLM’S ‘IMMATURITITY’ AFTER EJECTION DURING YANKEES’ FENWAY PARK SWEEP
Volpe also mentioned checking in with the Yankees during the offseason, asking what was expected of him at a time when his rehabilitation process only allowed him to take ground balls. He couldn’t throw the diamond yet.
Volpe said the message from the Yankees was to be ready to play shortstop.
When the season began, general manager Brian Cashman also noted that the plan was to always bring Volpe back into 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 in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 2026 in New York. (Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images)
However, things changed when Caballero went down with an injury himself and Volpe was naturally called up to fill the space. At the time, he was only playing shortstop in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
“When I got picked, I told Booney I would play receiver, I would literally do whatever the team needed,” Volpe said. “And that’s the truth behind the story. That’s why the fact that what was said caught me off guard because there was literally none of that.”
Ultimately, 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 above all [mindset] is impeccable. He’s as good as it gets. He’s been through a lot and he’s handled it all with tenacity, with grace, with a work ethic and with the team first. He’s always been like that.”
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. (Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
Volpe, a first-round draft pick out of Delbarton High School in New Jersey by the Yankees in 2019, had his moments with the team, but consistency wasn’t there for four seasons.
For his career, Volpe slashes .224/.287/.375 with a .662 OPS over 513 games. Volpe’s 19 errors at shortstop last season also led MLB in that category. He has three starts in 36 this year for the Yankees.
