BRIDGEWATER – Fetty Wap’s “679” blared from the speakers at TD Bank Ballpark as the walk-up song of choice for Anthony Volpe in his first game back in a Somerset Patriots uniform in nearly four years.One Jersey-born star representing another.It was only fitting.The Yankees shortstop began what’s expected to be a lengthy MLB rehab assignment not far from his Watchung upbringing on Tuesday night, going 0-for-2 with two strikeouts in two plate appearances against Reading. He also handled one defensive chance in five innings at shortstop.“I feel amazing,” Volpe said. “It’s a big milestone, a big checkpoint, so it felt good to get back out there.

I don’t think the process is about getting timing back at the plate as much as it is your workload. I’m learning about it too — I’ve never rehabbed or done anything like this. I think it’s just getting in games and getting in the flow of the season, the schedule and routine of a game day.”A first-round pick by the Yankees in 2019 out of Delbarton, Volpe’s rise through the system was quick.

It was highlighted by a breakout 2022 season in Double-A Somerset, where he hit .251 with 18 home runs and 60 RBI in 110 games before earning a late-season promotion to Triple-A Scranton.After that, it was the big leagues. Volpe won a Gold Glove in his rookie season and memorably hit a grand slam in his first World Series one year later.More: Marco Luciano rebounds with Somerset after whirlwind MLB offseasonLast season, however, his production dipped. Volpe hit .212 and drew criticism from fans, but later revealed he was playing through a partially torn left labrum in his shoulder — an injury that significantly affected his performance.Volpe said Tuesday that returning to Somerset felt good and familiar, describing the stop as a “nostalgic” trip back.

But he also acknowledged the balance required during a rehab process expected to stretch to roughly 60 plate appearances — akin to a full spring training workload.“We’re competitive and we want to be out there, and this sucks for us,” Volpe said. “Especially now, because I feel good. When I didn’t feel good, it was easy to listen to the doctors about taking it easy.

Now that I do feel good, it’s harder.”Volpe is expected to play back-to-back games for the first time during his rehab stint on Thursday and Friday, then return to action Sunday if all goes according to plan.Zach Wheeler rehabbing in SomersetBridgewater was packed Tuesday night not only for Volpe’s return, but also because three-time All-Star Zack Wheeler took the mound for Reading as he continues his own rehab following thoracic outlet decompression surgery late last season.Wheeler sat 93–94 mph with his fastball and leaned heavily on his sweeper, holding Somerset scoreless through his first five innings. He was tagged for three runs in the sixth and exited after 72 pitches.More: Yankees prospect Eric Reyzelman back healthy, confident with Somerset“The sweeper had good action,” Wheeler said.

“I dropped down on a couple, which made it sweep really good. That’s not what you want to do normally when you pitch, though. Those are things you clean up along the way.

I’ll work on it in the bullpen between now and Sunday and try to clean it up a little more.”Wheeler said his next outing is expected Sunday, again with Reading at TD Bank Ballpark. After a 2025 season in which he went 10–5 with a 2.71 ERA and led the National League with 195 strikeouts before being shut down, Wheeler said he’s focused on final tweaks before returning to the Phillies.“I felt a little off the past few starts, so today felt a lot better,” Wheeler said. “This is kind of where I wanted to get to.

The velocity can always be a little better, and hopefully that comes. I’m not stressing about it — as long as everything else is doing what it’s supposed to do.”This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Anthony Volpe starts rehab with Somerset Patriots at TD Bank Ballpark