Boone Weighs In After Volpe Plays Third Base for First Time
The short version
- Anthony Volpe appeared at third base for the first time in his career against Baltimore.
- Boone said Volpe saw little action but benefited from working through situations at the position.
- The Yankees won 6-3 after dropping the opener 10-2, improving to 93-68, second in the AL East.
- New York has clinched a playoff spot and closes the regular season hosting the Orioles on Sept. 27 at 3:20 p.m. ET.
The Yankees shortstop saw his first career action at third base in a 6-3 win over Baltimore, drawing measured praise from manager Aaron Boone.
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone offered a measured assessment of Anthony Volpe after the infielder appeared at third base for the first time in his career during Friday's game against the Baltimore Orioles.
Volpe is wrapping up his fourth big-league season, all spent with the Yankees, and has been among the club's top contributors as the team locked up another trip to the playoffs. One series remains on the regular-season slate before the postseason begins, and the positional experiment came with that preparation in mind.
Boone noted that Volpe saw little activity at the spot but found value in the experience itself. "Not a lot of action out there, but there's something to be said for being in there and thinking through the situations and moving and setting up how you're supposed to," Boone said.
Asked whether the look might continue, Boone left the door open. "We'll see," he said. "He's worked a lot over there. He played a little bit down there in Triple-A so just because he didn't get a ball in the game, I just wanted him moving around so we have some options."
Volpe, speaking through the Associated Press, described the adjustment that comes with an unfamiliar spot on the diamond. "Obviously you get prepared and that's part of being a new fielder," he said. "No matter where you play, you got to anticipate and know what you got to do."
On the scoreboard, the Yankees took Game 2 of the series 6-3, bouncing back from a 10-2 loss in Friday's opener. Neither side scored over the first four innings before New York pushed across all six of its runs across the seventh through ninth frames.
The victory lifted the Yankees to 93-68, good for second place in the AL East. They sit ahead of both the Boston Red Sox and the Orioles and behind the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays.
New York closes the regular season with a home finale against Baltimore at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, September 26, with first pitch set for 7:15 PM EDT on FOX and MLB.TV.
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