DUNEDIN, Fla. — Anthony Volpe has been a steady presence at the top of the Yankees lineup this spring, but don’t expect the No. 1 of the franchise to regularly hold the leadoff spot whenever he makes the big league roster.
With Volpe back in the leadoff spot for the Yanks’ spring contest against the Blue Jays on Saturday, Aaron Boone discussed the 21-year-old’s future presence in the order. But the manager also said he plans to fill a single hole with a veteran in the short term.
“His future lies in batting at the top or middle of the order. He controls the attacking zone. Obviously, a very good hitter. In his case, a very good base runner, a base hitter,” Boone said of Volpe. “So I envision him as a future top or middle of the order [hitter]but I imagine DJ [LeMahieu] starting.”
LeMahieu, 34, has been the Bombers’ leadoff hitter when healthy since joining the club in 2019. But the Yankees have a surplus of outfielders and may be wary of LeMahieu’s workload, after foot/toe issues hampered the flexible player last time out. season, so there will be days when someone else hits first.
Still, the current plan is for LeMahieu to be the Yankees’ regular leadoff hitter when he’s in the lineup.
DECISIONS, DECISIONS
Speaking of Volpe, Boone said the Yankees’ shortstop battle could go all the way to the end of spring training. Volpe competed with fellow top prospect Oswald Peraza and, to a lesser extent, veteran Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
Peraza enjoyed a successful cup of coffee with the Yankees last season, while Kiner-Falefa recently added center field to his resume in an effort to increase its already high level of versatility.
The Yankees also have decisions to make in the outfield and bullpen thanks to some injuries. Boone said a large group of team members will meet early next week to discuss the roster and that the club plans to bring “a lot of extra guys” to Washington, D.C. for New York’s final exhibition game against Nationals on March 28.
INJURY UPDATES
Boone said Harrison Bader is “doing better than I anticipated” as he recovers from an oblique injury and that it rotates well. But the captain added that the center field is not yet swinging. On Friday, Bader was seen using a red light therapy device to treat the injury.
Carlos Rodon, meanwhile, played on Friday. The session went well, and the Yankees’ top reliever “felt good this morning,” according to Boone. Southpaw is working his way back from a forearm strain.
relief Tommy Kahnle (biceps tendinitis) did not throw as scheduled Saturday; Boone said he wasn’t feeling well. Finally, catcher Jose Trevino (wrist inflammation), is expected to catch on March 21st and 23rd.
A KROOK-ED BULLPEN?
Boone said Matt Krook is among those “in the mix for a bullpen role.” The lefty had a solid spring, posting a 3.60 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 10 innings entering Saturday’s contest.
Krook, 28, never pitched in the majors after spending time with the Giants and Rays organizations. But he’s on the 40-man roster, giving him a clearer logistical path than some of the non-roster invitees he’s competing with.
Barring injury, Wandy Peralta is the only pitcher who is a lock to make the Yankees’ Opening Day roster. Krook could help with that and also provide multiple innings at once. Twenty-two of Krook’s 29 appearances at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre were starts in 2022. He posted a 4.09 ERA while striking out 25.7 percent of the batters he faced confronted
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