During the current MLB lockout, Aaron Boone can’t talk to anyone on the Yankees’ 40-man roster. So he isn’t able to get an update on how Aaron Hicks was feeling during his stint playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic as he comes back from wrist surgery or text with other players about how their offseasons are going.

But Boone is allowed to communicate with minor leaguers that aren’t on the 40-man, which is why he’s been able to see the shortstop many consider the organization’s top prospect, Anthony Volpe, several times at events over the past few months. “He’s a special guy,’’ Boone said Wednesday during a Zoom call.