Yankees show faith in highly random backup shortstop option while Anthony Volpe heals

Though Anthony Volpe claims to feel much better now after getting a bigger-than-we-ever-knew labral tear repaired this offseason, there's no reason for the Yankees to rush him back. After all, we know what a pained Anthony Volpe looks like after sitting through the mechanical mess that was the 2025 season. Cortisone shots work wonders until they don't.

But because the Yankees declined to bring in a high-profile replacement this offseason, they'll be left a little thin while Volpe shakes the rust off. New York's braintrust wasn't ready to kick Volpe to the curb entirely in Year 4, so while he's gone, the position will be manned by supersub Jose Caballero. If Caballero needs a day off or, God forbid, goes down, it'll then be handled by (checks notes) no one at all? Alright, that's probably a bad idea.

Thankfully, the Yankees have a trick up their sleeve before they have to turn to Braden Shewmake.

According to Aaron Boone, it'll be Ryan McMahon working out at short this spring with the hopes that he'll be able to slide over to (presumably) give Amed Rosario some run at third base on Caballero's off days.

McMahon has touched shortstop at the big-league level before ... if you count three innings during the 2020 season, a campaign with no fans that might as well have been contested in International Waters. No rules. We don't count that.

New York Yankees backup shortstop while Anthony Volpe is gone? Ryan McMahon.

This adds a hilarious new wrinkle to the team's decision to pass on Bo Bichette/let McMahon's $16 million hold up their budget instead.

This shouldn't be surprising, given the injury he suffered last year and the recent slow-play quotes surrounding his return, but it seems Oswaldo Cabrera won't be given a real chance to play the position early this season. Cabrera is facing an uphill battle towards a roster spot, and you'd have to believe his mobility is more limited now after last year's gruesome sliding injury in Seattle. The last time he played shortstop was in 2024 - six appearances, four starts, and two games finished. It hasn't been a major part of his repetoire anyhow, but he's now been passed on the pecking order by an (admittedly elite) third baseman who doesn't play the position.

If McMahon delivers 20+ home runs and pairs it with stellar defense this summer, Yankee fans won't care who he's backing up and how much utility he can truly hack. If his bat doesn't make the trip north, they'll be much less forgiving of this scramble plan.

At least Caballero looked genuinely great in pinstripes last fall.