Yankees Make Surprising Shortstop Announcement Amid Anthony Volpe Injury

The New York Yankees have enjoyed a relatively drama-free Spring Training so far, though there will always be a spotlight on some key areas for the franchise.

In this preseason, though, the stars have remained relatively healthy and those recovering have been making progress as expected.

“Really, nothing has gone wrong,” The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty wrote of Yankees camp so far. “It’s almost eerie… Seriously, how could it get any better for the Yankees right now?”

Though something could always change before Opening Day, it seems the Yankees are close to starting next season without any significant concerns on the roster. And that could mean that the biggest surprise comes at the shortstop position.

New York Yankees Manager Aaron Boone Makes Surprise Shortstop Announcement

After experiencing some significant struggles on both offense and defense last year, everyday shortstop Anthony Volpe underwent offseason surgery and is set to miss the start of next season. In his place, the Yankees are likely to go with Jose Caballero.

But Yankees manager Aaron Boone made a surprising announcement about another option at the position on Tuesday.

“Aaron Boone said he would be comfortable having Ryan McMahon play shortstop if today was a regular season game, a sign at which way the Yankees are leaning when constructing their bench,” The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner reported on X, formerly Twitter.

The manager’s endorsement was surprising, even given the Yankees’ relative lack of depth at the shortstop position.

New York Yankees Tab Shortstop Newcomer For Backup Role

McMahon has never started a game at shortstop in his nine-year big-league career and had some struggles when he first took over the position in Spring Training. He committed a pair of notable errors when first attempting the role.

But he seems to have settled into the position, earning Boone’s confidence thanks to growing more comfortable as his reps continued.

“Ryan McMahon started at shortstop for the fourth time this spring and looked fine,” Greg Joyce reported for the New York Post. “It sounds like the Yankees are comfortable with him starting the season as their backup shortstop, giving them more flexibility in how they construct their bench.”

Infield flexibility is always good, and with Volpe looking to bounce back from an injury as well as growing pressure over his struggles, the Yankees could require some more options at shortstop. But moving McMahon to the position also raises a question about third base.

The Yankees lack many attractive depth options at the hot corner as well, but Oswaldo Cabrera would seem to be the most likely alternative to McMahon, assuming he can bounce back from his own injury in short order.