Yankees Star Anthony Volpe Has a Comeback Timeline — and Fantasy Managers Are Already Circling
If you’ve been staring at your fantasy baseball roster with Anthony Volpe stashed on the IL, take a breath. The New York Yankees shortstop is looking to nail down a return window, and it’s closer than you might think.
Volpe was left off the Yankees’ Opening Day roster against the San Francisco Giants in March 2026 after months of rehabbing a shoulder injury. But according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, manager Aaron Boone has put a real date on the calendar.
“Anthony Volpe will likely start a rehab assignment around the second week of April, Boone said. He’ll essentially go through a full spring training at that point,” Kirschner posted on X.
What Aaron Boone’s April Target Actually Means
Here’s the thing fantasy managers need to digest: that second-week-of-April date is for the start of a rehab assignment, not his return to the Yankees’ lineup. Boone described the process as the equivalent of a full spring training. So there’s ramp-up time built in beyond that initial rehab start.
Boone does sound genuinely encouraged, though.
“I think the last month, and even more specifically, the last couple of weeks, have been really encouraging where Volpe’s kind of turned that next corner of the rehab process,” Boone said. “I think if you ask him now, the last couple weeks, he feels like he’s a healthy guy now.”
That “turned that next corner” language tells you a lot. He’s progressing through multiple stages, moving forward — but Boone isn’t declaring him game-ready yet.
How the Yankees Ended Up in This Predicament
The timeline on Volpe’s shoulder: during a May 2025 game, he felt a pop in his left shoulder after diving for a ball. Cortisone shots were the initial treatment, but the injury was re-aggravated in September 2025. Surgery followed in October 2025, and he’s been rehabbing since.
When asked about returning to batting practice, Volpe kept it to one word: “soon.”
He signed with the Yankees in 2019 and made his MLB debut in 2023. And mentally? He sounds ready to move on.
“It doesn’t do me any good, so I’m just on to the next and I’m excited to just really put it all behind me. I feel great and amazing now. I can’t wait to get back on the field and just play, so I’m not even thinking about last season,” Volpe told NJ.com.
Asked if he planned to watch the Yankees’ 2026 season opener, Volpe said, “Yeah” — brief, but he’s clearly staying locked in while sidelined.
Who’s Holding Down Shortstop in the Meantime
José Caballero has the job, and Boone wants everyone to know this isn’t some warm-body-at-short situation.
“Cabby’s a really good player,” Boone said of Caballero, per NJ.com. “He does a lot of things that help you win games. I feel really confident with him defensively (at shortstop) being able to hold it down, but also with a lot of the intangible different things he brings to the table offensively and on the base paths, I feel like we’re going to be in great hands.”
That’s a full-throated endorsement — defense, offense, baserunning. Caballero could be a sneaky fantasy pickup if you need a short-term shortstop fill-in.
Where Things Stand Right Now for Anthony Volpe
What we know for sure: Volpe is off the Opening Day roster. A rehab assignment should begin around the second week of April. He’ll then go through a full spring training equivalent before returning to the big league club. What we don’t know is exactly how long that process takes, or whether the rehab assignment reveals any setbacks.
Boone’s optimism about Volpe having “turned that next corner” is the best signal available that the 2026 return is tracking well. If you’re holding him in fantasy, patience should pay off. If you’re eyeing Caballero on the waiver wire, he might be worth a short-term grab.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
This story was originally published March 25, 2026 at 11:02 AM.
