ST. LOUIS — Anthony Volpe is quickly catching fire.
The Yankees’ rookie shortstop recorded his fourth and fifth straight multi-hit games during Saturday’s doubleheader split against the Cardinals, continuing to look more comfortable at the plate over the last few weeks.
After recording a pair of singles in Game 1, Volpe added an RBI triple and another single in the nightcap, both going the opposite way.
“I think he’s barreling up balls, so I don’t care where it goes,” manager Aaron Boone said.
“He’s doing a better job of not expanding as much. We’ve seen that now for two or three weeks where it’s just been consistent at-bats.”
Over his last 15 games, Volpe is batting .373.
As he walked to the plate for his first at-bat as a visitor at Busch Stadium in the first inning of Game 2, Harrison Bader received a standing ovation from the crowd.
He took off his helmet to salute them and patted his chest before play resumed.
“That was really special,” said Bader, who went on to hit a sacrifice fly. “It’s definitely different to step in the box with another club. It was very, very special. It means a lot to me. Everybody that cheered, has cheered for me over the years, cheered for me in that moment tonight, it means the absolute world to me.”
Carlos Rodon made his third and likely final rehab start Saturday night with High-A Hudson Valley, striking out eight over 3 ²/₃ scoreless innings on 58 pitches.
If the $162 million left-hander comes through it without any physical issues, he is expected to make his Yankees debut Friday against the Cubs in The Bronx.
“I’ve been encouraged how the last month has gone for Carlos,” Boone said.
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“Hopefully everything goes well today, he continues to build that pitch count.”
Anthony Rizzo returned to the lineup for both games Saturday after dealing with a stiff elbow.
He went 1-for-6 with three walks.
The Yankees called up Matt Krook to serve as the 27th man for Saturday’s doubleheader.
The left-hander relieved Luis Severino in Game 1 and gave up two runs on two hits and three walks in 1 ¹/₃ innings.
Ian Hamilton started the nightcap as an opener for a bullpen game.
The Yankees could have called up Randy Vasquez to make the start Saturday night, but they still would have needed a spot starter Wednesday and Jhony Brito is not eligible to be recalled by then since he was just optioned to Triple-A after Tuesday’s start.
Instead, Vasquez is expected to be the spot starter Wednesday against the Orioles with an extended layoff between outings.
After throwing his first bullpen session Friday since being shut down in early June, Nestor Cortes (shoulder strain) came through feeling fine Saturday.
That keeps him on track to throw another bullpen session Monday as he continues his rehab process.
Jonathan Loaisiga, who underwent elbow surgery to remove a bone spur in the first week of May, is a few weeks into a throwing program but has not yet gotten on the mound.
“Lo’s doing well,” Boone said. “It’ll be a slower buildup with the amount of down time he had.”
