The New York Yankees are heading toward Opening Day with a familiar roster.

The team’s most significant offseason move was to re-sign Cody Bellinger, who returned to the Yankees shortly after Trent Grisham accepted their qualifying offer. Now the Yankees will look to return to the World Series with largely the same roster that disappointed with an American League Division Series exit last season.

Advertisement

MORE FROM FORBES Dodgers Skipper Breaks Silence On Surprise Opening Day Roster Cut: ‘I’m Not Blind’ By Peter Chawaga

New York Yankees Replace Shortstop Anthony Volpe For Opening Day

But even with a familiar roster, the team will be starting its season with a significant change at shortstop.

“Anthony Volpe is recovering from shoulder surgery and is going to start the season on the injured list,” Darragh McDonald wrote for MLB Trade Rumors. “José Caballero will cover that shortstop with Ryan McMahon at third. Amed Rosario is the backup infielder.”

That alignment will mark a significant shift for the Yankees, who have slotted Volpe in as the everyday shortstop ever since he made his debut in 2023. Since then, he has played at least 150 games for the Yankees in each season, but his defense and offense took pronounced steps back last year as his shoulder injury went untreated.

Advertisement

As he recovers from offseason surgery, Volpe could benefit from some renewed strength and a minor-league rehab assignment. It seems most likely that he will at least get the chance to prove he’s capable of handling the role when he’s healthy.

(Volpe will) probably get at least three weeks of games before getting a green light to come off the injured list,” NJ.com’s Bob Klapisch wrote, as Volpe progresses in his rehab. “By then, it’ll likely be in the late April timeframe. And when that happens, Volpe almost will be handed back his starting shortstop job, regardless of how Jose Caballero does filling in.”

MORE FROM FORBES Phillies Get Surprising Pitcher Reunion Update After Yankees Trade By Peter Chawaga

New York Yankees Shortstop Anthony Volpe Offers 1-Word Response On Missing Opening Day

But Volpe has some significant hurdles to clear before that point. And as the Yankees prepared to open their season in San Francisco, the recovering infielder voiced some yearning as he stayed behind in Florida.

Advertisement

“Yeah,” Volpe confirmed when Klapisch asked if he’d be watching the season opener and wishing he was playing in California with the rest of the big-league team.

Volpe was similarly succinct when providing an update on his timeline for returning to live batting practice.

“Soon,” he told Klapisch.

But even though he didn’t elaborate much on his feelings as the Yankees prepared to start their season without him, Volpe made it clear that he is looking forward to getting back onto the field so he can truly move on from a disappointing campaign.

“I feel great and amazing now,” he told Klapisch. “I can’t wait to get back on the field and just play, so I’m not even thinking about last season.”