The New York Yankees could make a rather surprising decision on shortstop Anthony Volpe.

Volpe is on his rehab assignment and is closing in on a return to the MLB. However, Jose Caballero has played well in the meantime, and could still see playing time once Volpe returns anyway.

With that, Yankees insider Chris Kirschner of The Athletic believes New York could keep Volpe in Triple-A for 20 days to push his free agency from 2028 to 2029.

“This has not been suggested by team personnel — and it is mere speculation — but the Yankees could decide to keep Volpe in the minors after his rehab assignment is over,” Kirschner wrote. “Keeping him in the minors for 20 days would push Volpe’s free agency from 2028 to 2029, a service-time manipulation tactic that is unlikely to occur. However, this would also allow the Yankees to continue riding with Caballero, who has performed.

“No matter what the Yankees decide to do, this is the most important season yet for Volpe. There’s now someone on the roster who can compete with him for playing time. This week the Yankees promoted No. 1 prospect George Lombard Jr. to Triple A, which makes a 2026 debut a possibility. The runway for Volpe is no longer an endless road. For the first time, he’ll have to perform well because options are waiting to take his job.”

The Yankees keeping Volpe in Triple-A for 20 days would be a bit slimy, but it does make sense. New York would have cost control over him for another full season, which could allow the Yankees to trade him for assets or see if he can continue to develop.

Yet, with Lombard Jr. on the way, Volpe’s future is very much in doubt.

Yankees Manager Uncertain on Volpe

As Volpe continues to be on his rehab assignment, New York isn’t sure what will be next for him.

Volpe has been playing well on his rehab assignment, but Yankees manager Aaron Boone wasn’t sure when Volpe will be back.

“We’ll see. It’s Wednesday. We’ve got this game and he’s playing in Somerset today. We’ll see,” Boone said.

It’s a change of tune of just a couple of weeks earlier when Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Volpe would be the team’s starting shortstop.

“That’s always been the plan,” Cashman said. “But ultimately that’ll be the manager’s call. … Looking to deploy him soon. We obviously want to get his legs under him. He’s been getting a lot of live at-bats and then with Trajekt, you can close the gap on stuff like that too. But obviously the in-game defensive stuff and building your foundation, getting his spring training behind him that way.

“Typically you want to get like 55 at-bats of spring training for an everyday position player and then build him up safely with the defense from three to five to seven innings, then obviously nine innings. Then we’ll find a time to slot him in.”

Volpe is hitting .303 with 1 home run and 3 RBIs in 33 at-bats.

Volpe Eager to Return to MLB

With Volpe playing well on his rehab assignment, he’s getting closer to a return.

After Volpe recorded his first hit on the rehab assignment, he felt like it was a big milestone, and he was close to returning to the MLB.

“It’s a big milestone, a big checkpoint,” Volpe said “It felt good to get back out there. I just can’t wait to get back out there. Putting everything behind me and having a fresh start, a healthy start, is really exciting.”

Volpe was a Gold Glove Award winner in 2023.