Despite having one of the world’s best players in Nikola Jokić and benefiting from the best season of Jamal Murray’s career, the third-seeded Denver Nuggets saw their season end prematurely at the hands of the injury-ravaged Minnesota Timberwolves.
This, at a bare minimum, raises questions.
Jokić, needless to say, is a keeper. He’s not going anywhere, nor does he wish to.
Murray, presumably, should also be safe given his season and his chemistry with Jokić, which is significant.
But after that … oh boy.
Christian Braun’s $125 million extension looks like a problem, unless he bounces back after a rough season.
Peyton Watson is up for a new deal, but we’ve yet to see how influential he could be in a playoff context.
Aaron Gordon is a tremendous fit, but his contract is increasing and he’s getting older.
Sweeping changes likely aren’t needed, but the Nuggets shouldn’t close the door on considering them.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić didn’t have a great time in Game 6 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
2025-26 finish
Record: 54-28, third in the Western Conference. Eliminated in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games.
Highlight of the season
The play of Jamal Murray, who made his first All-Star team. The championship-winning guard averaged 25.4 points and 7.1 assists in his career-best the season.
If the Nuggets receive this type of annual production, that’s likely a good sign moving forward.
Players signed for next season
Nikola Jokić
Jamal Murray
Aaron Gordon
Cam Johnson
Christian Braun
Zeke Nnaji
Julian Strawther
DaRon Holmes
Key free agents
Peyton Watson (RFA)
Spencer Jones (RFA)
Bruce Brown (UFA)
Projected salary
$201,396,723
Draft picks
Nos. 26 & 49
Draft focus: If the Nuggets want to save money by dumping some of their younger players, it’s crucial they refill the cupboard. They could use more guard play and another big man in case Jonas Valančiūnas doesn’t stick around.
Roster-building tools
Virtually none. The Nuggets are extremely expensive and will likely find themselves far above the second apron. If anything, expect them to make some level of financially driven trades.
Needs and goals
Whatever happened this season just can’t happen again, whether you want to blame chemistry issues or roster inadequacy. The Nuggets are in dire need of simply figuring things out and adding depth to get back to competing for another title. They’re too good to let the best years of Jokić’s career slip away, but the big man is often carrying too big of a load.
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 15: Raisel Iglesias #26 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after getting the last out as MLB was honoring Jackie Robinson Day during the MLB game between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves on April 15, 2026 at TRUIST Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
After today’s victory against the Colorado Rockies, Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss told reporters that closer Raisel Iglesias will be activated from the 15-day Injured List on Tuesday in Seattle where the Braves will be taking on the Seattle Mariners.
Walt Weiss says after the game that closer Raisel Iglesis should be activated Tuesday
Iglesias’ return will help fortify the Braves bullpen has it has dealt with significant turnover in the past two weeks.
The Braves, who are 25-10 after sweeping the Rockies, should also get back catcher Sean Murphy in Seattle, but the exact day Murphy will be activated is not known. With outfielder Ronald Acuña, Jr. going on the 10-day IL due to a hamstring injury and fellow outfielder Michael Harris II nursing a quad injury, Atlanta could have an interesting decision to make with Murphy’s activation. It is possible Harris II could go on the IL.
Iglesias has yet to allow a run this season, striking out 11 in 8.2 inning across eight games. He has also saved five games, which still leads the team.
Anthony Volpe’s 20-day rehab window has concluded, but he is not returning to the New York Yankees.
The Yankees instead announced Sunday afternoon that they’ve optioned Volpe from the 10-day injured list to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Nobody from the Yankees addressed the decision beyond the statement announcing the transaction.
Volpe joined the big league club in 2023 and, when healthy, has been New York’s starting shortstop since. He’s done so as a Gold Glove winner, but with middling results at the plate. With Volpe out of the lineup since the start of the 2026 season due to offseason shoulder surgery, José Caballero has thrived at the plate and in the field at Volpe’s position.
Yankees riding hot hand
The Yankees, meanwhile, have the AL’s best record at 23-11. And they’ve decided to not mess with what’s working. Caballero will continue to start at shortstop — for now, at least. And Volpe, a former first-round pick who was previously considered New York’s long-term answer at shortstop, will return to the minors at 25 years old.
This decision comes three weeks after general manager Brian Cashman said “it’s always been the plan” for Volpe to return as New York’s starting shortstop at the conclusion of his rehab assignment. Cashman also said at the time the decision would be “the manager’s call.”
Aaron Boone says they haven’t decided if they’ll call up Anthony Volpe tomorrow after his rehab ends:
“Caballero’s playing the heck out of the position and playing really well so that complicates it. Just deciding, what’s the role that exists right away?” pic.twitter.com/d2hzNJdhUh
“Caballero’s playing the heck out of the position and playing really well,” Boone said when asked about Volpe. “So that complicates it. So just deciding — what’s the role that exists right away? Those are things we’ve gotta continue to work through.”
In 32 games, Caballero’s slashed .259/.309/.411 with 4 home runs, 12 RBI and 12 stolen bases. He’s been one of the best defensive shortstops in MLB.
Anthony Volpe’s rehab stint from offseason surgery will not conclude with a return trip to the Yankees.
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
In his three MLB seasons, Volpe has slashed .222/.283/.391 with season-long averages of 17.3 home runs, 64 RBI and 23.3 stolen bases. In his best season at the plate, he hit .243. He hit .209 as a rookie and .212 in 2025 while playing with the partially torn labrum that prompted offseason surgery.
Volpe won a Gold Glove as a rookie, but tied for the AL lead with 19 errors in 2025. And he’s largely failed to deliver at the plate on the promise that came with his selection as a first-round pick in 2019.
What happens if Caballero regresses?
For his three-plus season MLB career, Caballero’s a .231/.315/.348 hitter. Unless he’s in the midst of a breakout at 29 years old, his relatively hot start at the plate isn’t likely sustainable.
But he’s the hot hand right now for a hot Yankees team. And the Yankees are going to continue to ride that hand for the time being. Volpe’s future with the Yankees, meanwhile, is unclear.
Anthony Volpe’s 20-day rehab window has concluded, but he is not returning to the New York Yankees.
The Yankees instead announced Sunday afternoon that they’ve optioned Volpe from the 10-day injured list to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Nobody from the Yankees addressed the decision beyond the statement announcing the transaction.
Volpe joined the big league club in 2023 and, when healthy, has been New York’s starting shortstop since. He’s done so as a Gold Glove winner, but with middling results at the plate. With Volpe out of the lineup since the start of the 2026 season due to offseason shoulder surgery, José Caballero has thrived at the plate and in the field at Volpe’s position.
Yankees riding hot hand
The Yankees, meanwhile, have the AL’s best record at 23-11. And they’ve decided to not mess with what’s working. Caballero will continue to start at shortstop — for now, at least. And Volpe, a former first-round pick who was previously considered New York’s long-term answer at shortstop, will return to the minors at 25 years old.
This decision comes three weeks after general manager Brian Cashman said “it’s always been the plan” for Volpe to return as New York’s starting shortstop at the conclusion of his rehab assignment. Cashman also said at the time the decision would be “the manager’s call.”
Aaron Boone says they haven’t decided if they’ll call up Anthony Volpe tomorrow after his rehab ends:
“Caballero’s playing the heck out of the position and playing really well so that complicates it. Just deciding, what’s the role that exists right away?” pic.twitter.com/d2hzNJdhUh
“Caballero’s playing the heck out of the position and playing really well,” Boone said when asked about Volpe. “So that complicates it. So just deciding — what’s the role that exists right away? Those are things we’ve gotta continue to work through.”
In 32 games, Caballero’s slashed .259/.309/.411 with 4 home runs, 12 RBI and 12 stolen bases. He’s been one of the best defensive shortstops in MLB.
Anthony Volpe’s rehab stint from offseason surgery will not conclude with a return trip to the Yankees.
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
In his three MLB seasons, Volpe has slashed .222/.283/.391 with season-long averages of 17.3 home runs, 64 RBI and 23.3 stolen bases. In his best season at the plate, he hit .243. He hit .209 as a rookie and .212 in 2025 while playing with the partially torn labrum that prompted offseason surgery.
Volpe won a Gold Glove as a rookie, but tied for the AL lead with 19 errors in 2025. And he’s largely failed to deliver at the plate on the promise that came with his selection as a first-round pick in 2019.
What happens if Caballero regresses?
For his three-plus season MLB career, Caballero’s a .231/.315/.348 hitter. Unless he’s in the midst of a breakout at 29 years old, his relatively hot start at the plate isn’t likely sustainable.
But he’s the hot hand right now for a hot Yankees team. And the Yankees are going to continue to ride that hand for the time being. Volpe’s future with the Yankees, meanwhile, is unclear.
DETROIT (AP) — Paolo Banchero wanted to say the diplomatic thing.
He just couldn’t do it.
Shortly after Banchero’s Orlando Magic lost 116-94 to the Detroit Pistons on Sunday in Game 7 of their playoff series, he was asked if they have enough talent to win in the NBA.
Seated on the postgame press conference stage, Banchero hesitated before answering.
“I want to say yes, but this the third straight time we haven’t gotten out of the first round,” he said. “So if you are going off the last three years, the answer is no. The nice answer is yes, but honestly speaking, I can’t say we’re good enough to be in the finals or the Eastern finals, because the last three years, we’ve had the same result.
“So that’s your answer.”
Banchero has every reason to wonder. In the first four games of the series, he averaged 20 points and Franz Wagner scored 17.8 per game as Orlando took a 3-1 lead.
Wagner, though, sustained a calf injury that kept him out of the last three games. Banchero picked up his pace, averaging 33.3 points in the final three games, including 38 in Game 7, but he never got any help.
He had 32 points on 12-for-22 (54.5%) shooting through the first three quarters Sunday, but his teammates only scored another 32, making 27% (10-for-32) of their shots. Banchero was 4 for 7 on 3-pointers (57%), while his teammates were 4 for 16 (25%).
“We just couldn’t find the basket,” Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley said. “We were playing well on defense, but we couldn’t put the ball in the hole.”
That capped off five horrific quarters of offense that cost Orlando a chance to win the series as the No. 8 seed.
It started at halftime of Game 6. The Magic held what looked like a comfortable 22-point lead, only to score 19 points in the second half on 10.8% shooting.
They put up a decent 49 points in the first half on Sunday, then slumped to 15 in the third quarter as the Pistons built a 19-point lead. That’s 83 points in six quarters — an average of 16.6 points. That’s on pace for 66.4 points for four quarters, which would struggle to win playoff games in the 1950s, much less the 2020s.
Mosley, though, wasn’t ready to question his roster.
“There’s time to reflect on this and start thinking about changes we might be able to make,” he said. “Today is about the gratitude for these guys and how they gave us a chance to play in a Game 7.
“They fought and battled the whole way. We just didn’t get the job done.”
On the other side of Little Caesars Arena, the Pistons were talking about how they solved the same problem Orlando couldn’t fix.
Cade Cunningham averaged 32.5 points in the first six games, but wasn’t getting enough help. Sunday, he put up another 32 points, but Tobias Harris added 30 and Jalen Duren had 15 points and 15 rebounds.
“No one can ever say (stuff) to me about Tobias Harris,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “He’s a leader and a great human being, and he’s a high-level competitor. He showed up tonight and did what he did with everything on the line.”
Harris and Duren did what Banchero’s teammates couldn’t do, which is why the Pistons are off to the second round.
DENVER, CO – May 1: Atlanta Braves Michael Harris II (23) celebrates after his ninth inning two-run home run during a game between the Atlanta Braves and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 1, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
As long as baseball continues to be played at altitude in Coors Field, there will be the potential for a whole bushel of runs to be scored in any given game. With the Atlanta Braves running as hot as they have to start this season, there was plenty of potential for the Braves to put in some serious work at the plate.
Even with the Rockies sending some decent starting pitching to the mound for this series, it was clear that they’d have a pretty big task on their hands to keep this Braves team quiet. As it turned out, there wasn’t much that Colorado’s pitching staff could do to stop Atlanta during this series as the Braves did a bunch of hitting early and often. How much damage did they end up doing? Let’s go into detail!
This one got off to an extremely poor start for Grant Holmes and the Braves, as the Rockies lit him up for five runs in the first inning and then added on another one in the second via a solo homer from Mickey Moniak to make it a 6-0 lead. That’s how it stayed through three innings as the Braves were forced to dig themselves out of a hole from the middle innings onward. Fortunately, Holmes ended up staying out there for five innings and was able to successfully pass the baton to Anthony Molina, Didier Fuentes and eventually, Robert Suarez.
Now, how on Earth did Robert Suarez end up getting involved? That’s because Holmes calming down and the bullpen clamping down ended up being crucial as the Braves started to claw their way back. Matt Olson got the Braves on the board with a solo homer in the fourth and then it all came unraveled for Colorado once Jose Quintana exited the game following the sixth inning. A productive out from Jonah Heim cut the deficit to four runs in the seventh and then the eighth was when Atlanta delivered the haymaker.
The top of the order managed to load up the bases with one out, which set the stage for Mauricio Dubón to continue his surprisingly-good start to the season at the plate with a big hit here. He didn’t hit it out but he hit it to the wall and in an outfield as big and expansive as Coors Field, that’s massive trouble. Dubón’s triple cleared the bases to tie the game and then he scored on a sacrifice fly from Ozzie Albies to tie it up in Atlanta.
The ninth inning rolled around and Michael Harris II was called upon for pinch-hitting duty after Jonah Heim led off the frame with a walk. Sure enough, Money Mike was able to deliver another big hit off of the bench as he crushed one into the seats in right field to give the Braves-partisan crowd in Denver something to roar about. That’s how Robert Suarez ended up getting involved and making his fourth save of the season in order to complete a fantastic comeback win for the Braves.
This one was a bit more straight-forward for the Braves as they ended up rolling to a wire-to-wire beatdown of the Rockies in this one. Drake Baldwin crushed a dinger in the first inning and that was the first of three dingers for Atlanta in this one — and the first two RBI of four on the day for Baldwin. Austin Riley got some frustration out in the fifth inning with a two-run shot that made it 8-1 and then Matt Olson demolished a no-doubter in the ninth inning that brought us to our final score.
While this was all going on, Chris Sale put in another great evening of work on the mound. Sale went seven innings while only giving up one run on three hits and three walks. He also struck out11 batters in the process. Pitching in this series wasn’t easy for anybody so it was very impressive to see Sale go out there and continue to be dominant despite the extremely hitter-friendly environment tripping up other pitchers over the course of this series. Sale’s strong effort meant that the Braves only needed to turn to Dylan Lee and Hunter Stratton to close things out from the bullpen.
The only real blemish in this game for the Braves (outside of missing out on a rare Coors Field shutout win thanks to an RBI double from Jordan Beck) was that Ronald Acuña Jr. strained his left hamstring and ended up having to go on the 10-day IL as a result. The obvious hope is that it’ll be closer to 10 days on the shelf for Acuña rather than anything longer than that but it’s still a bummer to see that the injury bug has once again continued to pester the Braves.
The initial story heading into this game was Spencer Strider’s 2026 regular season debut. This was always going to be a tricky way to start the season for Strider and sure enough, that was the case. He only made it through 3.1 innings and while he did strike out six batters, he walked five and conceded four hits on his way to giving up three runs during his time out there. It also didn’t help matters that Aaron Bummer came in and got knocked around for two runs while he recorded an inning’s worth of outs.
Fortunately, it helped that the Rockies continued to provide little-to-no resistance to Atlanta’s lineup. In fact, this game was all about Jonah Heim, of all people. Heim went into this game with just three RBI to his name over the course of 11 games played. He now has eight, after he pushed five runs across the plate with his bat. Heim picked a great day to collect five RBI (his most in a single game since September 11, 2023 against the Blue Jays) since you can see what the score ended up being. Heim’s breakout ended up making a big difference as his efforts at the plate pushed the Braves to their second sweep so far this season — both on the road, no less!
With the series win, the BravesVision broadcast pointed out that the Braves are now off to their best 35-game start since 1892. Yes, you read that correctly: THE YEAR OF OUR LORD EIGHTEEN-HUNDRED-AND-NINETY-TWO. That is wild and this stat from Sarah Langs of MLB.com with the added contest of the top five 35-game starts makes it even wilder.
Best 35-decision starts in Braves franchise history:
What do all of those other starts have in common? They’re all in the 1800s! This is the best start that any of us currently living have ever seen from the Braves over this many games. Getting this deep into the season with this many wins banked is absolutely vital. They could slow down eventually but even if there is a downturn in form, as long as there isn’t a major slump then the Braves are going to be right in the thick of it as far as Postseason contention for the whole season.
The performance at Coors Field was impressive as well. Now granted, the Rockies are the Rockies (which is to say they don’t figure to be great this season) but they also still have to be taken seriously in their home stadium. It’s a venue that can bring up any type of result at any given moment and one where offense is expected but also not a given. If you don’t believe me then take a look at last year’s series for the Braves in Colorado, which is one that they managed to win while scoring only 15 runs (including a game where they only scored one run) and hitting zero home runs. This time, they scored 28 runs and cracked seven dingers. The offense is clearly in a much better place right now than last season and that’s been the engine that has powered the Braves to their lofty spot in the standings so far.
The Braves will now look to continue taking care of business as they will continue their trip out West with a visit to Cascadia to face off with the Mariners. Seattle has gotten off to a mediocre start so far and Atlanta will have to rely on the bottom of the rotation to continue getting the job done. With that being said, we’ve gotten to the point now where the Braves have to like their chances whenever this current version of Bryce Elder takes the mound and JR Ritchie has been encouraging as well. Grant Holmes will need a turnaround performance and hopefully the pitcher-friendly environment of T-Mobile Park will provide that opportunity for Holmes. It’ll be tricky (there’s that word again) but with the way the Braves have been playing so far in 2026, it’s more-than-possible that they can keep this going in Seattle with another series win. We’ll see what happens!
The Minnesota Timberwolves already sprung one upset this postseason, three of their four wins against the Nuggets in the first round coming as underdogs. Now the San Antonio Spurs await, with both a rest advantage and homecourt advantage.
This Timberwolves vs. Spurs same-game parlay anticipates Minnesota preemptively adjusting before Game 1 on Monday, May 4.
Our best Timberwolves vs Spurs SGP for Game 1
SGP leg #1: Rudy Gobert Under 10.5 Rebounds (+102)
When Gobert is on the court, Wembanyama can set up in the paint. So, quite frankly, Gobert’s minutes should fall in this series. Playing a five-out lineup will be the Timberwolves’ best approach to dragging Wembanyama out of the paint.
SGP leg #2: Rudy Gobert Under 8.5 Points (-110)
Even when Gobert is on the court, he will likely be playing against one of the few players taller and longer than he is, not to mention the Defensive Player of the Year. Do not expect Gobert to reach double-digit points unless Minnesota plays him directly counter to Wembanyama’s minutes.
That approach may come, but seeing such a bold thought in Game 1 would be a surprise.
SGP leg #3: Julius Randle Over 6.5 Rebounds (-140)
If Gobert’s minutes do fall, someone else’s have to rise. Julius Randle may give up seven inches to Wembanyama (and three to Gobert), but he has the physical strength to perhaps keep Wembanyama away from the rim.
This is going to be a challenge for Randle, but the sheer minutes and position of it should yield an opportunity.
Get Douglas Farmer’s full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Timberwolves vs Spurs predictions for Game 1.
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For the most part, ESPN has tiptoed around the situation involving Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and reporter Dianna Russini, formerly of The Athletic. On Sunday, ESPN’s Inside the NBA studio show jumped into the fray, with both feet.
The show makes “gone fishing” graphics when a team’s season has ended. With the Boston Celtics losing on Saturday night to the Philadelphia 76ers after leading the series 3-1, Inside the NBA has created an image that includes among the high-profile Celtics aficionados Vrabel and Russini.
They’e at the front of the boat, in the pose made famous by Titanic.
It’s a bold move, one that comes from a show that has always been bold and brash and above all else funny and entertaining. Still, Inside the NBA is now an ESPN property. And ESPN had been steering clear of the incident generally, at least until Vrabel announced (in a statement given to ESPN) that he’d miss the third day of the draft to attend counseling.
Russini previously worked for ESPN. Ten days ago, the New York Post published photos of Vrabel and Russini in a New York City bar on March 11, 2020. She worked at ESPN until joining The Athletic in 2023. ESPN has declined to comment on whether it is reviewing her reporting as it relates to Vrabel and the Titans, the team he coached at the time.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MAY 3: Tyler Soderstrom #21 of the Athletics celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run against the Cleveland Guardians during the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park on May 3, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Kelley L Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Following two-straight losses to open the series, the Athletics sought to win the series finale and prevent the Cleveland Guardians from completing their first series sweep of the season. They did just that, defeating the Guardians 7-1 in front of a sold-out Sunday afternoon crowd to salvage the final game and remain in first place in the American League West.
Cleveland Wastes Early Scoring Chances
Making his seventh start of the season, A’s right-hander Aaron Civale got into some trouble in the first inning. He allowed two singles before striking out Cleveland’s third baseman Daniel Schneemann to escape that early jam unscathed. His counterpart, Guardians left-hander Parker Messick, also turned in a scoreless first inning of work.
Cleveland threatened again in the second inning. Second baseman Travis Bazzana, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, led off the inning with a single and then he stole second base. The Guardians left him at third, wasting another early scoring chance.
A’s Strike First
A’s right fielder Colby Thomas gave his team the early lead with his first home run of the season, a solo shot to left field off of Messick on his first pitch of the bottom of the second inning.
In the third, the Guardians attempted to immediately respond. Jose Ramirez and Kyle Manzardo hit two-straight singles with two outs. Like in the first inning, Civale got Schneemann out to end the inning and keep his team in front. Through three innings, the Guardians had five hits, yet went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
Chase DeLauter Continues to Haunt the A’s
With one out in the fifth inning, Guardians red-hot rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter tied the game with his sixth home run of the season. He finished this series 8-for-11, playing a major role in Cleveland’s success this weekend.
A’s Offense Answers Back
The Athletics instantly regained the lead. Center fielder Zack Gelof led off the bottom of the fifth inning with his second home run of the season, a solo blast that landed way beyond the left field fence.
The A’s were not done scoring runs that inning. With one out, third baseman Darell Hernáiz and second baseman Jeff McNeil singled. Shortstop Jacob Wilson grounded into a force out for the second out. That brought up designated hitter Brent Rooker, who hit an RBI infield single scoring Hernáiz for the A’s third run of the frame.
Pitching with the lead again, Civale recorded his second shutdown inning of his outing. He only allowed DeLauter’s home run over a season-high six innings, giving the A’s the quality start they desperately needed this afternoon.
A’s Increase Their Lead
In the bottom of the sixth, the Athletics extended their lead off Guardians reliever Peyton Pallette. The hosts loaded the bases with one out as Gelof and Wynns walked and Soderstrom singled. Hernáiz did not come through as he flew out too shallow to center field. However, McNeil made sure the scoring chance did not go to waste. His two-out bases-clearing double down the right field line extended the A’s lead to 7-1.
With a six-run cushion, the A’s turned things over to their bullpen. Right-handed relievers Justin Sterner, Mark Leiter Jr. and Joel Kuhnel finished off the game, each throwing a scoreless inning as the Athletics snapped their two-game losing streak.
More importantly, the win ensured the team finished the home stand with a .500 record. The A’s now get to enjoy a happy flight to Philadelphia. They have an off day tomorrow before beginning a three-game series against the Phillies on Tuesday. Luis Severino will open the road trip on the mound for the A’s, while the Phillies have yet to announce their starting pitcher for that matchup.
The New York Yankees stormed out to the best record in the American League without Anthony Volpe. And now that their shortstop is healthy enough to return, they’ve decided to carry on without him.
The Yankees returned Volpe from his minor league rehab assignment and assigned him to Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, May 3, a moderately surprising move for a player that was once seemingly a part of the club’s core.
Volpe, who turned 25 on April 28, underwent off-season surgery on his left shoulder and missed all of spring training, and a lengthy rehab assignment was always in the offing. Yet the club has received pleasantly surprising production from backup Jose Caballero, who has four home runs and a career-best .711 OPS.
For now, he will hold down the spot for the 23-11 Yankees, who can sweep a four-game series from division rival Baltimore on Monday. In the bigger picture, Volpe also faces significant competition from top prospect George Lombard Jr., who was recently promoted from Class AA to AAA and is batting .304 with a .913 OPS and four homers across the two levels.
That would mark a precipitous fall for Volpe, who was drafted 30th overall in 2019 and emerged from a crowded field of prospect shortstops to win the full-time job over Oswald Peraza. He hit 21 home runs and finished eighth in Rookie of the Year voting in 2023 but his lifetime .283 on-base percentage and defensive misadventures lowered his stock.
