BOSTON — The Yankees got a home run and a terrific run-saving defensive play from their shortstop in Sunday’s 6-4 loss to the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
It was another example of what José Caballero can do when given a chance to play regularly, even at short.
Caballero started his fifth straight game there, the first time the utility player has played that much at short this season, with Anthony Volpe still dealing with the aftereffects of the cortisone shot on his left shoulder due to the small labrum tear he initially suffered in May.
As the Yankees head into the stretch run, with the postseason on the horizon, their plan at shortstop remains unclear.
Prior to Sunday’s game, manager Aaron Boone said he expected Volpe to be available off the bench. He wouldn’t commit to playing the slumping Volpe Monday in Minnesota and added it would be a day-to-day choice between the two.
“We’ll do what’s best every day,’’ Boone said.
From what Caballero has shown recently, it’s hard not to believe he’s their best option right now.
He added to his résumé on both sides of the ball against the Red Sox, with a long homer off left-hander Steven Matz in the seventh and then a terrific diving play to his left to save a run on a hard grounder by Ceddanne Rafaela to end the bottom of the eighth.
Caballero made a strong throw to first to complete the play.
And with Volpe compromised by the injury, the Yankees have been more willing to use Caballero, acquired from the Rays at the trade deadline, at short, where he is considered above average on defense.
Caballero said the consistent playing time “helps a lot,” but when asked what he thought he’s shown on defense at short over the past week, he said, “I’m trying to help the team. It doesn’t matter what I do. As long as we keep winning games, I’m gonna be happy.”
This from a player who didn’t start at short for the Yankees for the first two-plus weeks he was on the team, as Volpe remained in the everyday lineup despite being compromised physically and slumping in all aspects of the game.
They finally had no choice after Volpe aggravated the injury and he sat the final two games against Detroit and was out of the lineup for all three games against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
Caballero’s performance has made that decision easier, as he’s 6-for-18 with two doubles and a homer filling in for Volpe.
And the Yankees have mostly liked what they’ve seen from him on defense.
“He’s been good,’’ Boone said of Caballero’s play at short. “Overall, on the year, if you add up Tampa [Bay] and here, he’s really good out there.”
Boone noted “a couple of errors with us” and pointed to Caballero’s messy footwork on a throwing error while trying to turn a double play in Friday’s win.
But even then, the manager praised the 29-year-old, who’s played second base, third and short in the infield and both corner outfield spots in his month-plus as a Yankee.
He’s looked smooth, especially in the infield, and Boone said the mistakes are something they may have to live with.
“Part of that is he plays the game with such ease,’’ Boone said. “[He plays] with real confidence and sometimes, though, he keeps moving his feet. But you don’t want to take away the confidence he plays the game with and the fearlessness with which he plays [it].”
Still, the fact the Yankees are this close to the postseason and are trying to figure out their shortstop situation is far from ideal.
Volpe overcame a rough regular season last year and was among their most consistent and productive players in the playoffs.
Now, they may have to be flexible there.
In 2022, they got to the ALCS with Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza splitting time at short, which was a problem they believed they’d solved when Volpe was the Opening Day shortstop the following season.
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