THE YANKEE SAVIOR IS COMING

Anthony Volpe is rehabbing, and the Yankees are treating it like the Second Coming is scheduled for Double-A Somerset. The messaging is loud and clear: behold, the anointed one returns—Volpe, risen again, destined to fix everything that’s been broken, from the infield defense to whatever existential crisis the offense is currently having.

You’d think he’s been sent down not for reps, but for a ceremonial purification before reclaiming his throne in the Bronx.

Meanwhile, Oswald Peraza has apparently taken the “fine, I’ll do it myself” route in Anaheim, batting .269 and turning into a nightly reminder that distance and new scenery can do wonders. Against the Yankees, he hits like he’s personally offended by their existence and I love it. Just another chapter in the ongoing “front office evaluation debates” that never really end. Cashman shouldn't have let him go, but analystics spreadsheets told him to do trade him.

Back in rehab land, Volpe’s second appearance with Double-A Somerset ended 1-for-3 with a strikeout—because even prophecy takes warmups. After going hitless in his first two at-bats of the assignment (including a respectful introduction to Zack Wheeler), Volpe finally recorded his first hit in at-bat number three. Before that, there was a groundout, then a 3-2 swing-and-miss down in the zone, giving him three strikeouts in his first five rehab plate appearances. Not exactly walking on water just yet.

The schedule is set like scripture: play Friday, rest Saturday, return Sunday, then ascend to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where the stakes rise and the mythology grows.

And while all eyes are fixed on the return of the Volpe chosen one, George Lombard Jr. is over in the corner quietly putting together a .425 start through 10 games with five multi-hit performances—2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk on Thursday. No fanfare. No prophecy. Just production. Doing the job he's supposed to do.

But sure—Volpe is still the guy. The anointed shortstop. The franchise savior written in pinstripes and expectation.

At some point the Yankees are either going to get their resurrection… or just another reminder that not every mess gets cleaned up by a halo.