With José Caballero back in action and Anthony Volpe still part of the lineup, the Yankees are faced with the challenge of effectively utilizing both infield talents.

During Friday’s series opener against the Rays at Yankee Stadium, Caballero, fresh off the injured list after healing from a fractured middle finger, took his place at shortstop, while Volpe was left out of the starting lineup.

This season, Caballero’s defensive skills at shortstop have caught the Yankees’ attention. However, he committed an error on a ground ball from Chandler Simpson at the start of the eighth inning, a misstep that occurred with the Yankees holding a slim lead.

This mistake sparked a four-run surge by Tampa Bay, culminating in a 4-2 defeat for the Yankees.

“That’s a play he needs to make,” commented Yankees manager Aaron Boone.

Caballero noted it was a low liner that was a bit of a short hop, but agreed he should have come up with the ball.

Before the game, Boone declined to name either the regular starter at the spot — and added that Volpe would get work in at second base, a position he hasn’t played in a regular season game since a pair of minor league games in 2021.

“On days Anthony is not playing [shortstop], we’ll have him working a little at second base,” Boone said.

That work, Volpe said, has not begun.

“I’ll be ready to go,’’ Volpe said before Friday’s loss. “Whatever the team needs.”

There had been thought that Volpe could be optioned back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with Caballero in the lineup again.

Instead, the Yankees opted to send outfield prospect Spencer Jones back to SWB after he mostly struggled at the plate.

For now, Boone said of shortstop, “I’ll make the decision every day.”

The manager spoke to both Caballero and Volpe and acknowledged there will be unpopular decisions.

“Both guys are gonna play,’’ Boone said. “[Caballero’s] versatility comes into play again with Anthony here.”

The Yankees acquired Caballero from Tampa Bay last year because of his ability to play all over the field and wreak havoc on the bases.

When Caballero took over as the starting shortstop as Volpe recovered from offseason surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, though, he hit and fielded better than even the Yankees believed he would.

Boone said Friday: “These things have a way of working themselves out. It’s a good situation to be in because they’re two players we feel can play vital roles in us winning games. … It’s not gonna be a perfect scenario every single day.”

Asked about his potential role, Volpe said, “I don’t write the lineup. I’m ready to go, I’ll put my work in.”

Volpe, in his return to the majors, has had some encouraging games at the plate and defensively — as well as on the bases — but he entered Friday hitless in his last eight plate appearances with three strikeouts and botched a double play ball at short in Thursday’s loss to Toronto.

An Iraqi terrorist leader allegedly schemed to assassinate Ivanka Trump as a form of retribution for the killing of his mentor, Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani, a report reveals.

Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, aged 32, supposedly declared his intention to ‘kill’ the former First Daughter and reportedly possessed a map detailing her $24 million residence in Florida, according to the New York Post.

Al-Saadi was recently apprehended in Turkey and faces accusations of orchestrating a series of antisemitic attacks within the United Kingdom.

Following his capture, he was extradited to the United States, where he is suspected of having plotted at least 18 terrorist incidents across North America and Europe since February.

According to sources cited by the New York Post, al-Saadi had sworn to assassinate Ivanka Trump in retaliation for Soleimani’s death, who was killed in a 2020 drone strike authorized by then-President Trump.

Al-Saadi had a picture with the former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) leader on his social media and had previously promised to avenge his death. 

In 2021, he wrote: ‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. And coming to Washington and Florida.’

‘After Qasem was killed, he went around telling people ”we need to kill Ivanka to burn down the house of Trump the way he burned down our house”,’ former Iraqi military diplomat Entifadh Qanbar said.  

A chilling terror plot against Ivanka Trump was allegedly hatched by an Iraqi terror chief, according to a report

Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi may have wanted to target Ivanka Trump as revenge for the killing of Iranian military chief Qasem Soleimani

Al-Saadi once posted a photo with a map the home Ivanka shares with husband Jared Kushner and their three children to X.

A caption on the post translated to: ‘I say to the Americans look at this picture and know that neither your palaces nor the Secret Service will protect you. We are currently in the stage of surveillance and analysis. I told you, our revenge is a matter of time.’ 

A second source confirmed to The Post that Al-Saadi had plans to go after Ivanka following the killing of Soleimani.  

The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment.

Al-Saadi is charged with conspiracy to provide material support to Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (Hayi), an Iran-backed Iraqi Shia militant group, and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, both of which have been designated by the US government as foreign terrorist organisations.

He is also charged with conspiring and providing material support for acts of terrorism and conspiring to bomb a place of public use. 

Al-Saadi was reportedly caught in part through phone calls with an FBI informant who he believed was a fellow jihadist.

He provided the law enforcement officer with photos and maps of Jewish centers in Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Arizona, that he planned to target. 

Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi (pictured right with Soleimani), 32, was transferred to the US after he was accused of planning at least 18 terrorist attacks across North America and Europe since February

Al-Saadi once posted a photo with a map of Ivanka’s $24 million Florida home shared with husband Jared Kushner to X

Al-Saadi reportedly made a ‘pledge’ to kill Ivanka in retaliation for the death of his mentor Soleimani, who was killed in a 2020 drone strike on the orders of President Trump

The complaint was unsealed in a federal court in Manhattan last Friday, accusing al-Saadi of being behind a shooting at the US consulate in Toronto and a spate of firebombings in France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. 

The informant connected him to someone he claimed was a Mexican cartel member and gun for hire who could carry out bombings of Jewish targets for money.

He offered the FBI agent posing as a cartel member $100,000 to attack a synagogue and told him the attack should be recorded.

Al-Saadi was arrested in Turkey before being brought to the US to stand trial.

He reportedly smiled throughout his court appearance but did not speak.

His lawyer said al-Saadi was a political prisoner and a prisoner of war and claimed he was being persecuted for his relationship with Soleimani. 

He did not enter a plea and will remain in jail. 

Al-Saadi allegedly posted claims of responsibility for attacks on Snapchat and Telegram in the name of Hayi.

The terror group claimed responsibility for a wave of crimes across the west as they unfolded, but officials believe Hayi was ‘designed to carry out and further the terrorist goals of Kata’ib Hezbollah, and the IRGC.’

A second source confirmed that Al-Saadi had plans to go after Ivanka following the killing of Soleimani

Al-Saadi was arrested in Turkey before being brought to the US to stand trial

Hayi claimed responsibility for arson attacks including an Israeli restaurant in Munich and a synagogue in Skopje, Macedonia.

In the UK, a drone with the group’s logo was flown towards the Israeli embassy in London. 

Hayi was an unknown entity for security services before the war in Iran and first appeared on social media channels associated with Iran-backed Islamist militia in Iraq.

A clue that the IRGC may have been behind the group came when investigators found that Hayi’s posts claiming responsibility or showing footage of attacks came so soon after each event, The Guardian reported.

Some of the social media posts appeared before the attacks took place, suggesting the author was either close to the person who organized them, or the same person.

Al-Saadi allegedly created some of the posts under his own name.

Security services have reported that Iran has used criminal networks to recruit operatives.

Investigators wrote: ‘Essentially overnight, Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya was able to activate terrorist cells across Europe to carry out nearly 20 attacks in the weeks immediately following the start of the Iranian military conflict.’ 

Judge Sarah Netburn presides as Mohammad Al-Saadi, accused of planning an attack on a synagogue

FBI Director Kash Patel described Al-Saadi as a ‘high-value target responsible for mass global terrorism’ and said his arrest was the product of ‘a righteous mission executed brilliantly’ by the agency’s agents and law enforcement partners.

In his statement, Patel thanked US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, calling him ‘instrumental in bringing this successful mission home to the United States.’

Al-Saadi has been kept in solitary confinement since he arrived at a federal jail in Brooklyn on Thursday night, Dalack said, adding that such treatment was ‘unusual given the nature of charges in the complaint.’

New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, whose officers investigated Al-Saadi as part of the FBI´s Joint Terrorism Task Force, said the case ‘puts into stark relief the global threats posed by the Iranian regime and its proxies like Kata´ib Hizballah.’

A man suspected of drug trafficking was apprehended near the California shoreline this week when federal agents uncovered cocaine valued at $6.4 million on an oil tanker linked to a Mexican drug cartel.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California revealed that Ceasar Tubay Gelacio Jr., a 43-year-old Filipino national, faces charges for importing a controlled substance.

Authorities reported that Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the U.S. Coast Guard executed a collaborative mission on Thursday on the Motor Tanker Aquatravesia. This crude oil vessel was stationed at the Port of Los Angeles.

During the operation, a narcotics detection dog from the Coast Guard signaled the presence of illicit materials, leading investigators to verify that the shipment included 500 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $6.4 million, as stated by the Department of Homeland Security.

THE COAST GUARD CUTTER MUNRO RETURNS TO CALIFORNIA FOLLOWING A RECORD-BREAKING 11-TON COCAINE BUST

Federal agents seized roughly 500 pounds of cocaine aboard an oil tanker off the California coast, authorities said. (Department of Homeland Security)

“This operation highlights Homeland Security Investigations’ unwavering commitment to combating transnational crime and safeguarding the United States from illicit narcotics,” HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang said in a statement.

“HSI’s swift response and investigative expertise were instrumental in identifying and seizing over 226 kilograms of cocaine destined for our communities,” Wang continued. “We remain dedicated to pursuing those who attempt to exploit our ports and transportation systems, and to working with our partners to disrupt criminal organizations that threaten public safety.”

Capt. Stacey Crecy, sector commander for Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach, called the seizure a “testament to the coordinated efforts” of DHS agencies working to dismantle drug-smuggling operations.

BONDI, PATEL ANNOUNCE SEIZURE OF OVER $509M IN COCAINE LINKED TO CARTELS

Authorities said the cocaine discovered aboard the oil tanker had an estimated street value of $6.4 million. (Department of Homeland Security; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California)

“Through stellar coordination, we effectively detained the suspect and removed the contraband from the vessel to protect the maritime transportation system and facilitate commerce as quickly as possible,” Crecy said.

According to an affidavit filed in the case, authorities received information that the Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged Aquatravesia, which last departed from Ecuador, was traveling to the United States carrying a large shipment of drugs intended for a Mexican cartel.

Crew members allegedly discovered numerous packages hidden inside the ship’s garbage room that were believed to contain narcotics, according to the affidavit.

COAST GUARD HELICOPTER SNIPER TAKES OUT NARCO-BOAT ENGINES IN STUNNING EXCLUSIVE VIDEO

The U.S. Coast Guard and Homeland Security Investigations conducted a joint boarding operation aboard the tanker in the Port of Los Angeles. (Department of Homeland Security)

Prosecutors said the ship’s captain interviewed crew members and learned the drugs allegedly belonged to Gelacio. The captain then moved the narcotics to another part of the vessel.

While the Aquatravesia was still in Mexican waters, the captain was allegedly told cartel members would be waiting roughly 80 nautical miles offshore on the evening of May 14 and the early morning of May 15 to retrieve the drugs, according to the complaint.

If the narcotics were not delivered, additional boats would allegedly intercept the vessel in Mexican waters and recover the contraband.

$20M WORTH OF COCAINE, MARIJUANA INTERCEPTED BY COAST GUARD

Packages of suspected cocaine were recovered from aboard an oil tanker during a joint federal drug-smuggling investigation off the California coast, authorities said. (Department of Homeland Security)

Prosecutors also said the captain received radio calls from cartel members attempting to communicate with the Aquatravesia before boarding or seizing the vessel.

U.S. authorities directed the tanker to continue to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, where law enforcement boarded the vessel Thursday.

Authorities allege Gelacio received the narcotics in Ecuador and intended to distribute them to another party while the ship traveled near Mexico.

If convicted, Gelacio faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

DHS said two additional individuals were also taken into custody in connection with the operation.

<!–>

DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche, who dominated the NHL regular season, find themselves in a precarious position, facing a formidable Vegas Golden Knights team reinvigorated by a recent coaching change.

“I don’t think anyone expected this,” admitted Golden Knights defenseman Dylan Coghlan. “But we believed we could make it happen.”

In a surprising turn of events, Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev netted goals just 2:07 apart in the third period, leading the Golden Knights to a 3-1 victory over the Avalanche on Friday night. This win gives Vegas a commanding 2-0 lead in the Western Conference Final.

Eichel first brought the score level before assisting Barbashev on the decisive goal with 8:38 left on the clock. Barbashev later secured the win with an empty-net goal with 1:03 remaining, overturning the Avalanche’s initial 1-0 advantage and leaving the home crowd in disbelief.

With two victories at Ball Arena, the Golden Knights have placed the top-seeded Avalanche in a difficult situation. Historically, since 1982, teams that have taken a 2-0 lead on the road in the conference finals have maintained a perfect 13-0 series record.

“They understand the situation,” said Vegas coach John Tortorella, who has watched his team go 17-4-1 since he took over on March 29. “I’m not sure where the series goes. I’m not sure where Game 3 goes. But I know I’m not going to have to worry about that, because they get it.”

Carter Hart had another stellar performance, stopping 29 shots. He made 36 saves in a 4-2 win on Wednesday.

Colorado was cruising after Ross Colton opened the scoring in the first period. But things unraveled for the Avalanche in the third. Eichel lined a shot past Scott Wedgewood for his first goal in 11 games to get Vegas on the board.

“I haven’t scored in a million days,” he cracked.

The Golden Knights then took advantage of a miscue — Devon Toews and Brock Nelson struggled to clear the puck along the boards in the Avalanche end — as Eichel sent a pass to Barbashev, who rang in a shot off the post.

This was the fourth third-period comeback by the Golden Knights in this postseason, the most in a single playoffs in team history, according to NHL Stats.

“Just resiliency,” Hart said. “That’s the key word for our group here — we’ve just stuck in games and just grinded it out, and just battled. Resiliency, that’s a term that describes our group really well. We’re never out of the fight, and we’re always grinding in games.”

Game 3 is Sunday night in Las Vegas. The Avalanche are hoping to have star defenseman Cale Makar back in the lineup. He has missed the last two games because of an upper-body injury.

“There’s urgency to get him back since he got hurt,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “He’s doing all the work he can possibly do to get back as fast as he can.”

Before the Golden Knights’ rally, the Avalanche were 45-0-0 when leading after two periods in the regular season and playoffs combined.

“It stings for sure right now,” Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog said. “But tomorrow we’ll wake up, have a meeting, fly to Vegas and regroup. That’s all you can do.”

Vegas struggled on the power play, going 0 of 4. The team also saw defenseman Brayden McNabb limp to the locker room in the first period soon after taking a check along the boards. He returned for the third period. The hard-checking Golden Knights finished with 32 hits and 16 blocked shots.

“We know how hard it is to win,” Eichel said. “A lot of that falls on playing hard defensively.”

Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson briefly left late in the second period after delivering a check on Barbashev and then ramming his face into the boards.

Wedgewood had 22 saves.

“We can’t ride the emotional roller-coaster like fans,” Bednar said. “If you lose Game 1, you’re getting swept. If you win Game 1, we’re sweeping them. That’s not reality. You have to deal with the task at hand and what’s to come. We’re not going to try and win four games the next night in Vegas. We’re going to try to win one game.”