Latest Yankees News on Anthony Volpe's Roster Status After Shoulder Injury Rehab

Anthony Volpe has been working his way back from a shoulder injury and seemed poised to rejoin the New York Yankees soon.

But the shortstop won't be back in the Bronx, it turns out. Volpe was optioned to the minor leagues on Sunday.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post previously reported the news.

Volpe told the Yankees that he was ready to return to the majors earlier this week, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson, but the team opted to keep him with Double-A Somerset over the weekend.

The decision was made as a result of the Yankees wanting to give Volpe more time and José Caballero playing well at shortstop, manager Aaron Boone said.

"It doesn't hurt to have some more runway for [Volpe]," Boone said. "Caby is obviously playing well for us. I want it to be a situation where we are giving Anthony every chance to be successful and also taking note of what's going on with our club, as well.

"I feel like Anthony is in a pretty good spot and had a good rehab, especially over the last couple of months. He is now getting into games. We feel he is going to be a big part of this team. When that time comes, we want to give him the best opportunity to be successful."

Volpe, who underwent left shoulder surgery in October, has hit .250/.306/.318 with a home run and six RBI across 13 minor league games in Double-A and Triple-A.

Volpe is coming off his most productive MLB season, in which he had 19 home runs and 72 RBI while hitting .212/.272/.391. His fill-in, Caballero, has been solid thus far, collecting four homers and 12 RBI in 33 games. The Yankees are sitting atop the AL East at 23-11.

New York had to decide by Tuesday whether to activate Volpe or option him to the minors, and it ultimately decided to stick with Caballero, at least for now.