BOSTON — The Yankees bought a house run and a terrific run-saving defensive play from their shortstop in Sunday’s 6-4 loss to the Purple Sox at Fenway Park.
It was one other instance of what José Caballero can do when given an opportunity to play commonly, even at brief.
Caballero began his fifth straight recreation there, the primary time the utility participant has performed that a lot at brief this season, with Anthony Volpe nonetheless coping with the aftereffects of the cortisone shot on his left shoulder because of the small labrum tear he initially suffered in Could.
Because the Yankees head into the stretch run, with the postseason on the horizon, their plan at shortstop stays unclear.
Previous to Sunday’s recreation, supervisor Aaron Boone mentioned he anticipated Volpe to be obtainable off the bench. He wouldn’t decide to enjoying the slumping Volpe Monday in Minnesota and added it will be a day-to-day selection between the 2.
“We’ll do what’s greatest every single day,’’ Boone mentioned.
From what Caballero has proven lately, it’s laborious to not consider he’s their best choice proper now.
He added to his résumé on each side of the ball towards the Purple Sox, with an extended homer off left-hander Steven Matz within the seventh after which a terrific diving play to his left to save lots of a run on a tough grounder by Ceddanne Rafaela to finish the underside of the eighth.
Caballero made a robust throw to first to finish the play.
And with Volpe compromised by the damage, the Yankees have been extra prepared to make use of Caballero, acquired from the Rays on the commerce deadline, at brief, the place he’s thought of above common on protection.
Caballero mentioned the constant enjoying time “helps lots,” however when requested what he thought he’s proven on protection at brief over the previous week, he mentioned, “I’m attempting to assist the crew. It doesn’t matter what I do. So long as we preserve profitable video games, I’m gonna be glad.”
This from a participant who didn’t begin at brief for the Yankees for the primary two-plus weeks he was on the crew, as Volpe remained within the on a regular basis lineup regardless of being compromised bodily and slumping in all facets of the sport.
They lastly had no selection after Volpe aggravated the damage and he sat the ultimate two video games towards Detroit and was out of the lineup for all three video games towards the Purple Sox at Fenway Park.
Caballero’s efficiency has made that call simpler, as he’s 6-for-18 with two doubles and a homer filling in for Volpe.
And the Yankees have principally preferred what they’ve seen from him on protection.
“He’s been good,’’ Boone mentioned of Caballero’s play at brief. “General, on the yr, when you add up Tampa [Bay] and right here, he’s actually good on the market.”
Boone famous “a few errors with us” and pointed to Caballero’s messy footwork on a throwing error whereas attempting to show a double play in Friday’s win.
However even then, the supervisor praised the 29-year-old, who’s performed second base, third and brief within the infield and each nook outfield spots in his month-plus as a Yankee.
He’s seemed easy, particularly within the infield, and Boone mentioned the errors are one thing they could must dwell with.
“A part of that’s he performs the sport with such ease,’’ Boone mentioned. “[He plays] with actual confidence and generally, although, he retains transferring his ft. However you don’t need to take away the boldness he performs the sport with and the fearlessness with which he performs [it].”
Nonetheless, the very fact the Yankees are this near the postseason and are attempting to determine their shortstop scenario is much from excellent.
Volpe overcame a tough common season final yr and was amongst their most constant and productive gamers within the playoffs.
Now, they could must be versatile there.
In 2022, they bought to the ALCS with Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza splitting time at brief, which was an issue they believed they’d solved when Volpe was the Opening Day shortstop the next season.
