Are Yankees SS Jose Caballero's team now?

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone insists that the starting shortstop assignment remains a "day by day" decision.

The choice, however, continues to get easier.

Connecting on two home runs Monday night, Jose Caballero lifted the Yankees to an unorthodox 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. In the series opener between the AL East's top two clubs, the Yankees earned the win despite striking out 17 times and posting just three hits. 

Caballero, who spent parts of 2024 and '25 with the Rays, snapped a fifth-inning scoreless tie with a three-run homer off starter Griffin Jax (4-6). His solo shot in the eighth lifted the Yankees to a 4-1 advantage, providing insurance to winning pitcher Cam Schlittler (9-5).

"I'm glad he had a little extra chip on his shoulder, playing against the Rays," Schlittler said, via The Record Bergen County. 

As injuries ravaged the Yankees of their star power, Caballero's presence in the middle of the infield has helped keep the club in playoff contention. At 50-40, the Yankees entered Tuesday three games behind the first-place Rays (52-36).

The Yankees were 32-18 with Caballero in the starting lineup and 16-20 when Anthony Volpe starts.

Volpe had his time to stake his claim as the long-term shortstop solution. Will he continue to serve as a valuable depth piece or 

Are the Yankees Caballero's team now? 

Yankees' Jose Caballero taking over infield QB role

Volpe had his chance.

After appearing in at least 153 games from 2023-25 and displayed power with 52 homers during that span. He also earned a Gold Glove. But his overall production waned.

Volpe became a popular subject on a host of podcasts, like TalkinYanks. Not starting Caballero would be "managerial malpractice," WFAN Sports Radio suggested.

Among players with at least 2,000 plate appearances, Volpe's run production often ignited debates on playing time for the 2019 first-round draft pick. He ranked last with a .224 career batting average and .287 on-base percentage. His 24.9 percent strikeout percentage ranked fifth-highest.

During Monday's opener of a four-game series, Caballero posted the Yankees' first two hits, collecting his first two-homer outing since Aug. 19, 2025.

"That (Caballero) energy, it's contagious," said Yankees first baseman Ben Rice, who also homered. "Definitely put some life into us."

As the top team in the AL Wild Card race and with injured offensive stars Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton sidelined, Caballero continues to deliver a daily spark.

Boone's lineup decision at shortstop appears to be getting easier.

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