Anthony Volpe couldn't have scripted a much better return to the New York Yankees. After over a month in Triple-A, the Yankees brought Volpe back up to replace the injured Jazz Chisholm Jr. The 25-year-old quickly made a huge impact, going 3-for-4 with a grand slam and stolen base in Thursday's 10-3 win over the Colorado Rockies.
Following his triumphant return, Volpe told reporters that he didn't know if he'd ever receive a second chance with the Yankees. "I just felt like I had an opportunity," Volpe said, via SNY Yankees. "Obviously, it's weird the way it happened.
You never want someone to get hurt, but nothing is guaranteed, obviously. I thought I was never gonna be back up here. So I'm just trying to make the most of it." Volpe was batting .240/.325/.322 before his demotion, and the 2023 American League Gold Glove winner's defensive struggles prompted the Yankees to move him off shortstop.
Thursday marked his first career MLB game at second base alongside rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr., who hit his own grand slam the previous night. "Unexpected whirlwind," Volpe said, "but feels good to be back." Volpe earned another shot by hitting 10 home runs with a 1.023 OPS in 28 Triple-A games. Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Volpe for handling the demotion with the "right mindset" and noticed changes to his batting stance that are yielding positive results.
"I definitely see a little difference with how he's spread out," Boone said, per Mike Fitzpatrick of the . "I thought he looked really good, really under control, controlled the strike zone, patient at-bats while also obviously delivering some blows." Many Yankees fans soured on Volpe over the past two difficult seasons, but they gave him a curtain call after the seventh-inning grand slam. "That's why this is a special place, for sure," Volpe said.
"You wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world, but there’s still a lot of work to do."
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