Aaron Boone sits slumping Anthony Volpe in opener vs. Mariners, but still ‘confident’ in shortstop

SEATTLE — After starting 139 straight games, Anthony Volpe got his second day off in the past eight games on Tuesday.

The Yankees’ streaky shortstop was on the bench to start Tuesday’s series opener against the Mariners at T-Mobile Park, getting another breather entering the final two weeks of the regular season.

Oswaldo Cabrera started at shortstop against right-hander Bryan Woo, as manager Aaron Boone tried to keep the utilityman sharp and get as many left-handed hitters as possible into the lineup against a pitcher that is especially tough on righties.

For most of the season, though, regardless of the opposing starter, Volpe had been a mainstay in the lineup — which is much deeper and better when he is rolling.

But Volpe has been scuffling of late at the plate, the latest swing in an up-and-down season offensively — though his defense at a critical position has continued to be strong, and he has played the second-most innings of any player in the majors, trailing only Braves first baseman Matt Olson. 

Volpe, 23, entered Tuesday 4-for-37 with one walk and 12 strikeouts over his past 11 games, which left him batting .246 with a .664 OPS through 149 games this year (he has appeared in all but one of the Yankees games).