Anthony Volpes Yankees third base cameo was valuable even if it was quiet

If the Yankees want to ensure they do not have a ball hit to third base against them in the playoffs, perhaps they should just put Anthony Volpe there. They had Volpe start at the hot corner Friday for the first time in his big league career, and by the end of the 10-2 loss to the Orioles in the opener of a doubleheader, he was still waiting for his first real chance.Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.

A ball was finally hit to third base in the ninth inning, except it hit the bag and flew over Volpe’s head, giving him no shot to make a play. Otherwise, nothing came his way, and while he could start there again Sunday if the Yankees are not washed out, Aaron Boone still considered the game valuable for Volpe. “Not a lot of action over there, but there’s something to be said for being in there and thinking through the situations and moving and setting up how you’re supposed to,” said Boone, who started Volpe at shortstop in the nightcap. Volpe seems unlikely to start at third base in the playoffs, but he played there Friday so he could at least have it in his back pocket, which would give him even more positional flexibility after making the transition from shortstop to second base at Triple-A.Having that versatility could allow the Yankees to get more aggressive in using pinch hitters and pinch runners in the AL Wild Card Series against the Red Sox. “I felt comfortable,” said Volpe, who credited third baseman Ryan McMahon, infield coach Dan Fiorito, Triple-A infield coach Gil Velasquez and former teammate Oswaldo Cabrera for helping him get up to speed at the position.“No matter where you play, you got to anticipate and know where you got to be.

I feel like I’ve picked it up.” Before Friday’s doubleheader, the Yankees held the equivalent of postseason tryouts — or perhaps prove-its — as Giancarlo Stanton and Trent Grisham faced ...