The New York Yankees are staring down a crucial late-season stretch. One of their young stars, Anthony Volpe, has been quietly grinding through a significant shoulder injury.
Manager Aaron Boone confirmed Thursday that the shortstop has a partially torn labrum. The team thinks the issue dates back to before Volpe’s MLB debut.
The Yankees don’t expect him to miss time for now. Still, Volpe’s performance has dipped noticeably in recent months—so it’s fair to wonder how much the injury is fueling his second-half slump.
Anthony Volpe’s Hidden Shoulder Injury
Boone said Volpe’s labrum tear is an old injury that flares up from time to time. During the All-Star break, the shortstop got a cortisone injection to help with the pain.
Even with the discomfort, Boone doesn’t think the shoulder is stopping Volpe from playing. The team plans to check on it again with updated imaging after the season ends.
Why He’s Staying in the Lineup
Boone made it clear: there’s no current plan to place Volpe on the injured list. The 24-year-old has been a workhorse in the Yankees’ infield, starting 137 of their first 145 games.
His defense, plus the team’s push for playoff seeding, has kept him in the starting lineup even as his bat has cooled off. Since late August, though, trade deadline pick-up José Caballero has started to get a few more starts as the Yankees try to manage Volpe’s workload.
Batting Struggles After Hot Start
Volpe opened 2024 with promise, thanks in part to his switch to the popular “torpedo bat.” Early on, he was driving the ball more consistently.
But since July, the numbers have been rough. His OPS has dropped from .723 to .661, and over his last 58 games, he’s hitting just .173/.202/.365.
Season Production in Perspective
This season, Volpe owns a .206 batting average, a .268 on-base percentage, and a .393 slugging percentage. He’s got 19 home runs and 16 stolen bases.
His 82 OPS+ is well below league average, and his 1.3 Wins Above Replacement shows he’s added more value with his glove and durability than his bat. The drop-off stands out even more when you remember how hot he started the year.
The Yankees’ Current Situation
Despite Volpe’s struggles, the Yankees are actually playing some of their best baseball of the year. They’re tied with the Phillies for MLB’s best record over the last 30 games, which keeps them in the thick of the postseason race.
Still, the team heads into Thursday’s matchup after some pretty brutal defensive lapses.
Recent Bullpen Woes
The Yankees’ bullpen has struggled, giving up nine or more runs in back-to-back games for the first time in franchise history. That kind of vulnerability puts more pressure on the infield defense and clutch hitting.
The team keeps leaning on players like Volpe, even when his bat has gone cold. Sometimes, you just have to hope the next game brings a turnaround.
What’s Next for Volpe and the Yankees?
Managing injuries late in the season is a balancing act. The Yankees have to weigh Volpe’s long-term health against their immediate playoff hopes.
Boone says the shoulder isn’t holding Volpe back much, which sounds reassuring. Still, the numbers at the plate suggest there’s more going on.
- Short-term key: Keep an eye on Volpe’s shoulder and give him strategic rest.
- Mid-term key: Figure out who’s contributing more at shortstop—Volpe or Caballero.
- Long-term key: Get postseason imaging to see if Volpe needs treatment or even surgery in the offseason.
Right now, the Yankees want to keep their momentum rolling into October. They’re hoping Volpe can find some of that spark he showed earlier this year.
His next few weeks will really test his durability and resilience. Can he perform in high-pressure moments with a less-than-perfect shoulder? That’s the big question.
If New York tightens up its bullpen and Volpe gets hot at the plate, maybe that mix of defense and timely offense will be enough. It could push them deep into the postseason—and keep Volpe right in the middle of the Yankees’ plans for the future.
Here is the source article for this story: Anthony Volpe injury: Yankees shortstop playing through partial labrum tear, not expected to need IL stint
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