The Yankees' infield carousel keeps spinning, but on Tuesday, it finally paid off. After a dizzying day of roster moves, New York snapped a four-game losing streak with a 6-2 win over the Orioles at Camden Yards, fueled by a five-run third inning.
The drama started early. Slumping Jazz Chisholm Jr. was benched, Jose Caballero landed on the injured list, and Anthony Volpe made his return from the minors. It was enough to make any fan's head spin—but for a team in desperate need of a win, the chaos brought clarity.
Caballero's IL stint came after an MRI revealed a small fracture in his right middle finger, the result of jamming it into first base on a slide Sunday in Milwaukee. It's his fifth fractured finger (though the first on this one), and he's not happy about it. "I'm really disappointed," Caballero said. "Just feel like I could be back sooner." He's under a no-hit, no-throw restriction for 5-7 days, and manager Aaron Boone agrees he could return when eligible on May 22. Boone also made it clear: Caballero will resume starting shortstop duties when healthy. "I didn't know that. But that means a lot," Caballero said. "I want to help the team and be a part of it and contribute to get wins."
Enter Volpe. The former top prospect got the call-up after his minor league rehab stint (following labrum surgery) ended, and he's ready for whatever comes. "If I learned anything from being optioned, it's there's things I can't control," Volpe said. He drove from Scranton and arrived just before first pitch Tuesday night, focused on the here and now. "Feels great to be back."
For a Yankees team that's been searching for consistency, Volpe's return could be a spark—or just a 10-day cameo. Either way, the infield carousel keeps turning, and for one night, it spun in the right direction.
