Anthony Volpe Dismisses Erroneous Reports Regarding Refusal to Play Second Base

New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe has firmly denied reports suggesting he refused a move to second base earlier this season. Volpe expressed shock at the claims, describing the retracted report as “B.S.”

The Yankees player faced renewed scrutiny on Tuesday following comments from longtime YES Network play-by-play announcer Michael Kay. Kay had initially reported that the former top prospect had declined the team’s suggestion to practice at second base during a minor league rehab assignment.

Speaking before Wednesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Volpe stated the report was entirely inaccurate.

“From my end, from our perspective, that’s been very clearly communicated to [manager Aaron Boone] and the team,” Volpe said. “I think it’s just kind of B.S.”

“I’d hope my teammates in here, who I’ve played with for three-plus years, I’d hope they know my character and that I’d literally do anything to help the team win — literally anything. The narrative and what it tries to say about me, I feel like I’m defending myself over something that literally didn’t happen.”

Kay later addressed the error on social media, stating there was “absolutely no truth” to his initial report shared on his ESPN New York 880 radio program.

I spoke of a rumor yesterday on TMKS that Anthony Volpe would not play 2B in the minors. Sounded unlike him, so I checked further today and there is absolutely no truth to it whatsoever. He never refused to work at second. Will speak more of it today at 1 pm @ESPNNewYork.

— Michael Kay (@RealMichaelKay) July 8, 2026

Manager Aaron Boone offered strong support for Volpe, who is currently navigating a challenging season both offensively and defensively.

“I know he would do anything,” Boone said Wednesday. “Volpe’s character and team-first [attitude] is beyond reproach. He’s as good as it gets. He’s been through a lot, and he’s handled everything with toughness, with grace, with work ethic and with team-first in mind. He’s always been that way.”

“He’s a gamer, and he’s a tough, tough kid that loves the game and plays his butt off every single day. I wish that was celebrated a little bit more.”

After recovering from shoulder surgery in October, Volpe was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on May 3 as part of his rehabilitation. He returned to the Yankees nine days later as the everyday shortstop after Jose Caballero, who had performed well in his absence, suffered a finger injury.

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Kay acknowledged his error later on Wednesday, noting he intended to apologize to Volpe. Volpe reiterated his readiness to play any position required by the club.

“When I was getting optioned, I told [Boone] I’d play catcher — I’d do literally whatever the team needed,” Volpe said. “And that’s the truth behind the story. That’s why the fact that what was said was said is catching me so off guard, because there was literally zero of that.”

Since Caballero returned from the injured list, Volpe has been practicing at second base, though he has continued to play exclusively at shortstop.

Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman also confirmed to the New York Post that Volpe offered no resistance to playing other positions. Boone noted that while the organization had considered moving Volpe, the plan changed due to injuries that required Caballero to remain in his current role.

“Even after the new message [about playing other positions] was received, I had no — I still have no problem,” Volpe said. “I want to be here, and I want to help the team win the World Series. That’s literally all I want. So for anything opposite to be put out there is just confusing.”

The 25-year-old Volpe is currently batting .242 with one home run, 13 RBIs, and a .664 OPS through 42 games. While he earned a Gold Glove at shortstop during his 2023 rookie season, his defensive metrics have dipped, including leading the league with 19 errors in 2025.

After missing the first two games of the series against Tampa Bay, Volpe returned to the lineup Wednesday, going 1-for-3 in a 3-0 loss.

The Yankees (50-42) have struggled recently, losing 14 of their last 18 contests. They currently trail the first-place Rays (54-36) by five games heading into Thursday’s series finale in St. Petersburg.

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