Jose Caballero Crushed His Old Team. The Yankees Still Won’t Name Him the Starter at Shortstop.

Aaron Boone isn’t ready to hand over the keys just yet. Not even after Jose Caballero spent Monday night turning a Tampa Bay reunion into a personal highlight reel.

The Yankees beat the Rays 5-1 in the first game of a four-game set at the Stadium, snapping out of a miserable 4-11 stretch. They’re 50-40 now and breathing a little easier in the AL East race. But the shortstop conversation? That’s still open for business.

Caballero drove in four runs on a night when the Yankees managed exactly three hits. Three total. He hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the fifth inning that basically decided the game. Then he added a solo shot in the eighth for good measure. Ben Rice hit the team’s only other hit, also a homer. That’s it. That’s the whole offensive output.

So naturally the question after the game was whether Caballero had done enough to claim the job full-time. Boone’s answer, per The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner, was a firm maybe.

“Aaron Boone said SS is still a day by day decision,” Kirschner posted on X.

That’s the kind of non-answer that keeps beat writers busy and keeps Anthony Volpe relevant in the conversation. Volpe hasn’t been out of the picture. He just hasn’t forced the issue lately either. Boone’s phrasing suggested the Yankees are still treating shortstop like a matchup-driven role where defense, schedule and depth all matter. One big night from Caballero doesn’t erase the whole evaluation process.

Caballero is 29. He’s a utility infielder by trade who made the most of a chance against his old team. He has some pop. He runs well. He plays hard. But the Yankees signed him off waivers for a reason. They’re not treating him like the future at the position after four RBIs.

Cam Schlittler also deserves some attention here. The righty went eight innings, struck out eight and allowed one run. That was huge for a bullpen that looked worn down during the slide. Schlittler gave Boone length and let the offense breathe through a game where the bats were almost silent outside of two swings.

Still, the shortstop thing lingers. Boone isn’t closing any doors. Caballero made his case Monday. Whether it holds up Tuesday is another story.