Yankees Shortstop Anthony Volpe Has Been Battling a Shoulder Injury
Anthony Volpe was named the New York Yankees’ starting shortstop in 2023, but in three seasons, he has yet to meet expectations. Volpe flew through the Yankees’ farm system in 2022 and beat out longtime prospect Oswald Peraza for the job in Spring Training. Since calling him up, Volpe hasn’t made much progress at the plate, and the fanbase is tired of the Yankees continuing to start him over deadline acquisition Jose Caballero.
Volpe Made Steady Progress
Anthony Volpe’s rookie season wasn’t anything special. He showed good things defensively, but was extremely inconsistent at the plate. He hit .209 with 21 HR’s, .283 OBP, .383 SLG, and a .666 OPS. In 2024, the fan base wanted to see Volpe show more discipline at the plate and focus more on hitting for average rather than home runs.
 He started 2024 doing just that. He was hitting high .280s/.300, and working the count full, putting together quality at-bats at the bottom of the order. DJ LeMahieu was supposed to be the Yankees’ leadoff hitter, but after suffering an injury in Spring Training, the team quickly pivoted to Gleyber Torres. Torres got off to a terrible start, which made Aaron Boone decide to move Volpe to the leadoff spot.
 The Yankees’ young shortstop was on fire, putting together a 21-game hitting streak, but ultimately went cold again, and back to the same old player. The main cause of this was that Volpe was very rarely given days off. This has been a problem throughout his career. While you do want your best players on the field at all times, there’s no excuse as to why he shouldn’t be getting at least one day off per week.
 When he was given extended rest during the All-Star break, you could see the immediate improvement in his game. He’d look more comfortable, which is something the Yankees still to this day have failed to understand.
Volpe had a very encouraging postseason, putting together a good stat line and showing improved bat speed. In the postseason, he batted .286, with 14 hits, 1 home run, and 6 RBI in 14 games. This was the player that the fans were waiting to see. An above-average defender who could be a positive offensive addition in the lineup.
Big 2025 Season
After ending the season off on a positive note, Volpe needed to continue where he left off. He started off 2025 strong, hitting 4 home runs with 12 RBI, showing off his opposite field power. But as it’s gone every year so far, his strong start was short-lived. What was different about years past was that while his offensive ability was declining, the defense was also falling apart.
 His elite defense is what made the offensive struggles digestible. This season, it feels like he’s made an error in every game, on the most routine plays you could make. Today, we were given more information as to why this might be happening. Aaron Boone told reporters today that Volpe has been playing through a partial labrum tear. “Nothing that we think is going to land him on the IL or nothing that he can’t continue to play through,” Yankees Manager Aaron Boone said.
Volpe suffered this injury on May 3 against the Tampa Bay Rays. He tried making a diving play to his right, and immediately went down in pain, grabbing his shoulder. He sat out the next game, but continued to be an everyday player. This whole situation screams a lack of communication. If Volpe did not feel 100%, he should’ve been put on the IL. The opposing argument could’ve been made that the Yankees didn’t have an alternative option, which was true. But after they acquired Jose Caballero from the Rays, Volpe should’ve been sidelined.
 He’s reportedly received cortisone shots during the All-Star break, as well as yesterday. This whole situation was mishandled by the Yankees, and if they truly cared about Volpe, they’d let him sit to get his mind and body in a better place.
