Michael Kay Clarifies Yankees Rumors Surrounding Anthony Volpe's Potential Move to 2B

ESPN's Michael Kay says there is "absolutely no truth" to previous reports that New York Yankees infielder Anthony Volpe declined to switch from shortstop to second base in the minors.

Kay's update comes after he reported on ESPN New York that Volpe allegedly declined a Yankees request for him to take reps at second base.

The news comes after Volpe was left out of the starting lineup in consecutive games as the Yankees turned to Jose Caballero at shortstop.

The New York Post's Joel Sherman also said he didn't "think Volpe wanted to play other positions at Triple-A when given that choice."

Volpe was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after the Yankees committed to Caballero as their starting shortstop in May.

Caballero then suffered a fractured right middle finger that led to the Yankees recalling Volpe days later.

Later that month, Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced that both Volpe and Caballero would remain on the roster amid injuries to players including Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge.

Boone also added the club planned to work out Volpe at second base to gain "an added layer of flexibility."

When asked how Volpe had reacted to that change, Boone said in May: "He's ready to— both [Caballero and Volpe] are just like, 'We want to win,' and that's where the focus will be."

Volpe has not started a game at any position other than shortstop through four seasons with the Yankees.

The 25-year-old has recorded a career-high .338 on-base percentage through 41 games with the Yankees this season, although his numbers have varied wildly. He batted just .182 through four games in July before his recent benching.

Boone still said deciding his starting shortstop was a "day-by-day" process while declining to commit to Caballero as a full-time starter earlier this week.

The Yankees went with Caballero at shortstop, Ben Rice at designated hitter and Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second base for Tuesday's loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.

Volpe's ability to start producing again and his positional flexibility could both play a role in whether he stays in the lineup once Judge and Stanton draw back in. For now, it remains up in the air whether he or Caballero will start when the Yankees play the Rays again Wednesday night at Tropicana Field.