José

Caballero

Caballero returns to shortstop with free-swinging rookie slugger Spencer Jones getting a shot in right field on Monday night in Cleveland. The versatile 29-year-old started back-to-back games in right field after franchise cornerstone Aaron Judge hit the injured list with a fracture in his rib cage over the weekend.

The Yankees said that Judge “is expected to return at some point this season.” Still, he’s pretty clearly done through the All-Star break at least and quite possible until August. This probably means more José Caballero in right field and Anthony Volpe at shortstop for now. Once Jasson Domínguez comes off the injured list, he could get a chance to play regularly in the outfield. It’s a significant loss for fantasy managers but it sounds like there’s a strong possibility Judge is able to return at some point in the second half.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone didn’t have an update while speaking to reporters prior to Wednesday’s game. This hardly qualifies as a surprise with Judge scheduled to see a specialist on Wednesday to evaluate the bone bruise in his rib cage that has led to shoulder soreness for a couple weeks. There should be some much-needed clarity on his status, including whether he’ll require a trip to the injured list. José Caballero will start in right field again with Ryan McMahon at third base and Paul Goldschmidt at designated hitter.

It’s a bit curious because the Yankees were off on Monday, but there’s no indication that the 34-year-old is dealing with any injury. The Yankees are likely just looking to give him a bit of an extra breather. Jose Caballero will start in right field and bat eighth on Tuesday with Amed Rosario off the paternity list and batting cleanup while playing third base.

The assumption based on comments from Yankees manager Aaron Boone was that Caballero would remain the club’s starting shortstop upon returning from the injured list. Simply put, that hasn’t happened. Anthony Volpe is making his third straight start at the position with Caballero heading to the outfield. It seems like it’ll be more of a timeshare at the position with Caballero bouncing around on occasion if Volpe continues to produce.

The plot thickens. Volpe continues to produce, which is going to make it challenging for the Yankees to take his name off the lineup card. It’s not necessarily a bad problem at the moment since it buys José Caballaro, who is on the bench in this one, a little bit of time off as he returns from a fractured finger. Volpe went 1-for-3 with a pair of RBI during Monday’s series opener and has shown some positive signs in nine games since making his season debut earlier this month.

Caballero was also thrown out attempting to steal second base during his return from the injured list after missing just over one week with a fractured finger. The 29-year-old speedster will continue as New York’s primary shortstop with Anthony Volpe expected to see time at second base moving forward.

Caballero told reporters pregame that he’s playing shortstop on Friday against the Rays, as expected. Acquired from the Rays last season, he has been sensational for the Yankees this season, swatting four homers and swiping 13 bases while wrestling the starting job away from Anthony Volpe.

The versatile 29-year-old landed on the injured list last week with a fractured finger and expressed confidence at that time that he would be ready to return when first eligible. That appears to be the case, though the Yankees may have to make a tough decision on the roster move to create a spot for him on the active roster.

Caballero expressed confidence last week when he hit the injured list with a fractured finger that he would be ready to return in exactly 10 days, when first eligible. The 29-year-old shortstop appears on track to meeting that goal. However, it’ll depend whether he’s able to grip a bat and swing effectively whether he’s ready to return later this week.