Anthony Volpe faces big test vs. MLB star in first rehab start: I feel amazing
Anthony Volpe began a rehab assignment Tuesday and did so with an immediate test against a fellow big leaguer: Phillies ace Zack Wheeler.Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.
Of course, the results and matchups of Volpe’s rehab games are not as important as building up his workload as he finishes his comeback from October surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, but facing Wheeler — who made another rehab start as he recovers from surgeries for a blood clot and thoracic outlet syndrome — offered little room for easing back into the batter’s box in his first game with Double-A Somerset.“I feel amazing,” Volpe said after going 0-for-2 with two strikeouts while playing five innings in the field.“It’s a big milestone, big checkpoint.
Felt good to get back out there.”The Yankees shortstop is expected to play in four games with Double-A Somerset this week, including a potential back-to-back Thursday and Friday, before likely moving to a different affiliate that is playing at home next week to continue upping his stamina.General manager Brian Cashman said Friday the target was for Volpe to accrue around 55 at-bats — simulating the typical spring training workload — though the Yankees could also include at-bats from live batting practice and those taken off the Trajekt pitching machine in that tally.Aaron Boone said the Yankees sending Jake Bird to Triple-A after Monday’s game had more to do with needing a fresh arm than anything in particular they wanted the reliever to work on at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.The club called up Yerry De los Santos for the day on Tuesday to take the open spot in the bullpen after Bird gave up three runs in an inning Monday.
De los Santos’ stay was brief, as he was optioned right back to Triple-A after giving up one run in two innings and throwing 44 pitches in a 7-1 loss to the Angels.“Obviously, Bi...