Anthony Volpe, the New York Yankees infielder, hit a 431-foot, two-run home run in his first game back with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. The homer, which had an exit velocity of 106.7 mph, was Volpe's first of any kind since May 26.
Volpe was optioned to Triple-A on Monday night. He led off and played shortstop in Friday night's game against Rochester. Outfielder Jasson Domínguez, also demoted, occupied the No. 2 spot in the lineup and played left field. Volpe finished the game 1-for-3 with two strikeouts as his team trailed 9-3 in the seventh inning.
Volpe hit just one home run in 56 games with the Yankees during the 2026 season, batting .240 with a .646 OPS and 19 RBIs before his demotion. Yankees manager Aaron Boone stated that Volpe will play both shortstop and second base with the RailRiders. Boone indicated this versatility could benefit Volpe and the Yankees in both the short and long term.
"We'll have him play both," Boone said. "So hopefully, that's something that serves him well and us well moving forward — potentially in the short-term, but in the long-term as well."
Volpe, a lifelong shortstop, won the starting job out of spring training in 2023. He opened the 2026 campaign on the injured list following offseason shoulder surgery. After recovering, he remained in the minors as José Caballero secured the shortstop position. When Caballero was placed on the injured list, Volpe had an opportunity, but he and Caballero began splitting time at the position upon Caballero's return, with prospect George Lombard Jr. also impressing in the minors.