Yankees test Ryan McMahon at shortstop as injuries force early-season defensive reshuffle
The New York Yankees acquired infielder Ryan McMahon last July because of his defensive reliability and established production at third base, but this spring they are experimenting with a new wrinkle that could dramatically reshape their early-season infield configuration.
Manager Aaron Boone confirmed Wednesday that the team intends to give McMahon reps at shortstop during spring training, hoping to evaluate whether he can serve as an emergency option behind their injured starter.
McMahon has played only three total innings at shortstop in his MLB career, all coming during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, making this experiment one of the more unexpected developments of New York’s preseason.
While his experience at short is minimal, his defensive résumé elsewhere is extensive, with 750 games at third base, 244 games at second base, and 70 games at first base, showcasing the versatility that attracted the Yankees during last year’s trade deadline.
The Yankees acquired McMahon from the Colorado Rockies after he earned 2024 All-Star honors and delivered a strong first half, finishing that season with a .722 OPS and elite defensive metrics at the hot corner.
His 2025 overall production dipped to a .693 OPS, and he experienced notable struggles after arriving in New York, a transition that highlighted the difficulty of adjusting midseason to a high-pressure environment and to Yankee Stadium’s demanding expectations.
Even with his offensive inconsistencies, McMahon still represented a defensive upgrade over the disastrous third-base carousel New York suffered through before the trade, making him a critical stabilizer at the position entering 2026.
Because of that, McMahon still projects as the everyday third baseman, and Boone emphasized that he will retain a long leash at his primary position, even as the team explores emergency depth options elsewhere.
The impetus for this shortstop experiment stems mainly from the injury to starting shortstop Anthony Volpe, who is expected to miss the beginning of the season, leaving a temporary vacancy at one of the most demanding defensive positions on the field.
With Volpe sidelined, utility infielder Jose Caballero will likely receive the Opening Day assignment at shortstop, though the Yankees want a deeper contingency plan in case of injury, slumps, or late-game tactical shifts.
Adding another wrinkle to the equation is the uncertainty surrounding who would slide into third base should McMahon temporarily move over to shortstop, with candidates like Amed Rosario representing plausible but imperfect solutions.
Boone acknowledged that the team wants multiple defensive pathways available, especially early in the season when injuries and roster constraints often force managers to lean on flexibility more aggressively than expected.
The Yankees’ strategy reflects a broader philosophical trend the organization has leaned into over recent years, emphasizing positional versatility to withstand injuries, withstand long season fatigue, and preserve lineup flexibility.
Despite McMahon’s lack of meaningful shortstop experience, the coaching staff believes his footwork, glove reliability, and internal baseball instincts warrant at least an exploratory trial at the position.
His strong throwing arm and ability to charge slow rollers efficiently give him some foundational components needed to handle shortstop responsibilities, even though the range requirements are notably more demanding than those at third base.
Another significant factor is roster composition, as the Yankees lack a true MLB-ready shortstop in the upper minors who can immediately fill in behind Caballero during Volpe’s recovery.
The team does have several intriguing prospects, but none are expected to break camp with the big-league roster, making internal reshuffling the simplest short-term path until Volpe returns.
In that context, McMahon becomes an intriguing test case—an established veteran with defensive acumen, leadership presence, and the physical consistency to learn a role that demands both agility and mental sharpness.
His willingness to embrace the challenge also matters, as Boone indicated that McMahon has approached the experiment with an open mind and a team-first attitude, traits highly valued within the Yankees’ clubhouse.
Still, the decision is not without risk, as shortstop is arguably the most athletically demanding position in the infield, and transitioning even a skilled defender into that spot can produce unpredictable results.
If McMahon struggles in spring reps—particularly with lateral quickness, double-play pivots, or deep-in-the-hole throws—the Yankees may need to pivot quickly to alternative configurations.
Rosario, for example, has significantly more shortstop experience than McMahon, but his defensive consistency has fluctuated throughout his career, making him an imperfect everyday fallback option.
Caballero himself is a short-term placeholder rather than a locked-in long-term answer, and while he provides speed, energy, and serviceable defense, the Yankees prefer multiple contingency pathways to avoid overexposing him.
The Yankees understand that defensive security is essential with their pitching staff built on strike-throwers who rely on infield support, making positional assignments early in the season especially consequential.
In the larger picture, the team’s willingness to test McMahon at shortstop illustrates how aggressively they are trying to buy time for Volpe’s return without sacrificing overall roster stability.
As spring training unfolds, McMahon’s performance in these new reps will dictate whether the experiment continues into April or becomes a brief February talking point that fades before Opening Day arrives.
For now, the Yankees are keeping all options open, leaning on versatility, creativity, and adaptability as they prepare to navigate the early weeks of the season without their starting shortstop.
