Yankees' Young Star Out With Stomach Issue

The Yankees will have to go for the sweep over the Astros without their young star shortstop.

Mar 30, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) crosses home plate | Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Volpe will be missing from the New York Yankees' lineup as they attempt to complete a four-game sweep of the Houston Astros on Sunday.

Volpe was a late scratch because of an upset stomach, according to the Yankees. Jon Berti, who was acquired from the Miami Marlins in a three-team trade on March 27 and spent the majority of his six-year Major League career there, is set to make his debut with the Bombers at third base, sliding the white-hot Oswaldo Cabrera to shortstop.

Volpe collected four hits and drew four walks in 14 plate appearances in the first three games of the series. The 22-year old, who won a Gold Glove as a rookie in 2023, also hit his first home run of the season Saturday after smashing 21 in his rookie campaign.

Although a small sample size, Volpe was drawing impressive feedback with his plate discipline at Minute Maid Park against a franchise that has been ready to match and surpass the Yankees since 2015. He saw a total of 70 pitches from Thursday through Saturday, swinging on 20 while whiffing on just two – an eye to match offseason acquisition Juan Soto which will create a debate about Volpe’s spot in the batting order in the coming days and weeks.

As noted, Cabrera, who was not necessarily a lock to make the team out of spring training yet be in the Opening Day lineup, has seven hits in 13 plate appearances in the three games, including a game-tying solo home run in the sixth inning on Thursday and game-tying two-run homer in the seventh inning on Saturday. Cabrera’s six RBI also leads the team.

The Yankees started the regular season with three straight victories for the first time since 2023. It was the first time since 1957 all three were comeback wins. It was also the ninth time in MLB history and first time since the 1999 San Francisco Giants a team recorded three-straight comeback wins after trailing in the sixth inning or later in each game, according to Elias Sports.