Yankees’ Isiah Kiner-Falefa beginning to work in center field as shortstop battle comes down to wire

We may have a concession in the Yankees’ shortstop competition. Isiah Kiner-Falefa has begun working out in the outfield and will play in center field during Grapefruit League games this week, manager Aaron Boone told reporters on Tuesday.

Kiner-Falefa has never registered a major league inning in the outfield, however, he has displayed versatility in his career as he’s played shortstop, second base, third base and catcher during his five-year career.

With the writing on the wall that one of the Yankees’ prized young prospects — Anthony Volpe or Oswald Peraza — is set to take over shortstop duties, Kiner-Falefa is looking for a peaceful transition of power so he can remain in pinstripes by making himself available at different positions.

The 27-year-old has been solid in spring games going 5-for-19 (.263) with a homer and a double.

Kiner-Falefa played 138 games at shortstop for the Bombers last season recording 15 errors and struggling on routine plays throughout the season.

Despite the obvious struggles, Boone did his best to prop up the shortstop who came to the Bronx as part of the trade that shipped Gary Sanchez off to the Minnesota Twins.

“He’s been one of the best defenders in the league at shortstop,” Boone said at the end of August. “Shortstop, infielders, you make an error every now and then.”

He then found himself benched at times during the postseason due to his defensive woes leading to Peraza and Oswaldo Cabrera nabbing starts at the position in October.

If this means the end of Kiner-Falefa’s time as the Bombers’ everyday shortstop — transitioning to a utility role — the decision between Volpe and Peraza figures to come down to the wire.

Volpe came into camp after reportedly receiving a phone call from GM Brian Cashman letting him know that he is in the mix to break camp with the Yanks on Opening Day. The 21-year-old has run with the opportunity this spring. Volpe is 9-for-28 (.321) with two homers, four doubles, three stolen bases and has played a clean shortstop. Volpe has opened plenty of eyes this spring.

“A lot of our guys, especially our established core guys, he’s gotten their attention,” Boone said after Sunday’s tie against the Red Sox where Volpe went 2-for-4 with a double and a long opposite-field homer.

“I think he’s got all the tools,” said Aaron Judge after last Wednesday’s game against the Cardinals at the Yankees’ spring complex. “He checks a lot of boxes defensively, offensively. He’s got the speed… My thing has always been, if you’re the best player, it shouldn’t matter your age. You should be up helping the New York Yankees.”

Volpe said after the game against the Red Sox that he is “just trying to take advantage of every opportunity.

“Having the coaching staff and support staff to work with you and get it right in the games [helps],” Volpe said. “It’s definitely early, but everyone wants to perform in the games.”

The uphill battle for the New Jersey native is that he only has 99 Triple-A at-bats, as he was promoted in September of 2022 and he’s not yet on the 40-man roster so the Yanks would have to make some sort of move to clear a spot for him.

This is exactly what Peraza has going for him at the moment.

The 22-year-old has not performed as well this spring as he’s hit 3-for-17 (.176) with a double as his lone extra-base hit. The slick-fielding shortstop is on the 40-man roster and has plenty of Triple-A experience — 414 at-bats between 2021 and 2022 — including some MLB run with 49 at-bats in 18 games for the Bombers.

It’s to be determined if there was a true competition entering the camp or if the Bombers had a favorite for the position all along. Volpe has been the clear top performer out of the bunch and with Kiner-Falefa now trying to learn the outfield, the competition has only gotten more intriguing a little over two weeks before Opening Day.

OPENING DAY STARTER

Ace Gerrit Cole will be the Yankees Opening Day starter, Boone announced. The news comes on the same day the San Francisco Giants, who play the Yankees in the season opener, announced right-hander Logan Webb will be on the mound when the team kicks off their season.

Cole started in Tuesday’s 10-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Cole allowed three earned runs, six hits and one home run in 4.2 innings of work. He struck out six batters.

TREVINO INJURED

Catcher Jose Trevino has been out due to a right wrist sprain, according to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. Boone said the catcher is expected to resume playing later this week, but an injection remains possible.

Trevino is expected to be ready for Opening Day, Boone said.

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